Kyrgyzstan is considering introducing criminal penalties for bullying and cyberbullying, with offenders potentially facing up to seven years in prison under a proposed bill submitted to parliament.

The draft legislation envisages amendments to the country’s Criminal Code and Code of Offenses, 24.kg reports.

Under the proposal, bullying that does not constitute a criminal offense would carry a fine of 5,500 soms ($63), while cyberbullying could result in a fine of 7,500 soms ($86).

More serious penalties would apply if repeated harassment substantially violates a victim’s rights or legitimate interests. In such cases, offenders could face a fine ranging from 50,000 soms ($572) to 100,000 soms ($1,143), or corrective labor for one to three years.

The bill proposes stricter punishment for bullying minors, offenses committed by a group of people, and cases involving the disclosure of a victim’s personal data for the purpose of harassment. The use of official authority or another form of dependency to target a victim would also be considered an aggravating circumstance.

In these cases, offenders could face fines of up to 200,000 soms ($2,286) or imprisonment for up to three years. Cyberbullying would also be subject to tougher penalties under the proposal.

If bullying causes moderate or serious bodily harm, the proposed punishment would increase to three to seven years in prison.

The bill is currently under parliamentary consideration. The proposed penalties have not yet become law.