“No means no”: Interior Ministry warns Kazakhstanis about stalking liability
Tengrinews.kz – Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs has reminded citizens that privacy and personal safety are protected by law and that persistent, unwanted attention can amount to a criminal offence. The warning was published via Polisia.kz.
The ministry said repeated calls, messages, monitoring via social media and following someone against their will may qualify as stalking and can cause serious harm to a person’s safety and mental wellbeing.
Legal liability
Under Article 115-1 of Kazakhstan’s Criminal Code, stalking may be punished by:
a fine of up to 200 MCI (a Monthly Calculation Index used to set fines; 200 MCI is cited as about 865,000 tenge),
community service for up to 200 hours, orarrest for up to 50 days.
“The Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan guarantees every citizen the inviolability of private life and the right to personal security. Violating the law inevitably entails responsibility. Another person’s ‘no’ must be respected unconditionally,” the statement said.
What to do if you are being harassed or followed
The ministry urged people to report stalking, systematic harassment or surveillance by calling 102 (the police emergency number) or contacting police directly.
Law in force and recent court cases
Kazakhstan’s criminal stalking provision entered into force on September 16, 2025, according to earlier reports.
Tengrinews.kz noted that several rulings have already been issued under the article. In Atyrau Region, a district court sentenced a local resident to 200 hours of community service and ordered compensation for moral damages and legal costs.
In Petropavl, a 37-year-old man who allegedly stalked a woman for more than 18 months was sentenced to 100 hours of community service, and the court also imposed restrictions, including banning contact with the victim.
The ministry said repeated calls, messages, monitoring via social media and following someone against their will may qualify as stalking and can cause serious harm to a person’s safety and mental wellbeing.
Legal liability
Under Article 115-1 of Kazakhstan’s Criminal Code, stalking may be punished by:
a fine of up to 200 MCI (a Monthly Calculation Index used to set fines; 200 MCI is cited as about 865,000 tenge),
community service for up to 200 hours, orarrest for up to 50 days.
“The Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan guarantees every citizen the inviolability of private life and the right to personal security. Violating the law inevitably entails responsibility. Another person’s ‘no’ must be respected unconditionally,” the statement said.
What to do if you are being harassed or followed
The ministry urged people to report stalking, systematic harassment or surveillance by calling 102 (the police emergency number) or contacting police directly.
Law in force and recent court cases
Kazakhstan’s criminal stalking provision entered into force on September 16, 2025, according to earlier reports.
Tengrinews.kz noted that several rulings have already been issued under the article. In Atyrau Region, a district court sentenced a local resident to 200 hours of community service and ordered compensation for moral damages and legal costs.
In Petropavl, a 37-year-old man who allegedly stalked a woman for more than 18 months was sentenced to 100 hours of community service, and the court also imposed restrictions, including banning contact with the victim.