Kyrgyzstan Strengthens Sanctions for Corruption

Sanctions for corruption have been tightened in Kyrgyzstan. The amendments have been signed into law by President Sadyr Japarov, The Caspian Post reports citing foreign media.

The amendments are proposed with the purpose to establish proportionality of guilt for corruption crimes, to punish guilty persons with prison sentences and deprivation of the right to hold a certain position or engage in certain activities for life. The possibility to pay fine instead of prison sentence is excluded.

The given amendments:

- prohibit military service, work in law enforcement agencies or units of judicial enforcement if a candidate's spouse or close relatives are found guilty of a serious or especially serious crime in accordance with the established procedure, or a criminal case against a candidate has been terminated on non-rehabilitative grounds;

- impose mandatory and lifelong ban on holding state and municipal positions by persons guilty of corruption crimes;

- exclude possibility of paying fines for committing corruption crimes instead of serving prison term;

- require those who have committed corruption crimes, will serve at least half of the minimum prison term even after entering a plea agreement and full compensation of caused damage.

The proposed changes are aimed at increasing the discipline and level of responsibility of public and municipal employees, eradicating corruption in public administration.

Adoption of this draft law necessitates introduction of changes into a number of resolutions of the Cabinet of Ministers and the Ministry of Internal Affairs.