In the Turkestan region, police prevented an attempted bride kidnapping, reports Otyrar. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.
It turned out that police officers noticed a crying girl in the car, who was actively waving her arms, attracting attention and asking for help.
According to the press service of the Department of Internal Affairs of the Turkestan region, the criminal case on the fact of coercion into marriage was not continued. The student officially refused to press charges against the guys. The girl explained that their relationship is mutual, and her violent reaction and tears on the road were caused by a sudden domestic quarrel with her future husband.
Currently, a comprehensive check is being carried out, and all circumstances of the incident are being established.
Earlier, Kursiv wrote that since 2025, a new article of the Criminal Code has officially come into effect in Kazakhstan, establishing criminal liability for coercion into marriage. This is Article 125-1 "Coercion into marriage".
In Kazakhstan, bride kidnapping is officially classified as a serious crime (kidnapping), and criminal legislation regarding this practice has been significantly tightened. The legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan has completely excluded the interpretation of kidnapping girls as a "tradition" or "wedding ceremony".
Those found guilty face 4 to 7 years in prison. If the kidnapping is committed by a group of people, with the use of violence, or if a minor is kidnapped, the sentence increases to 10–15 years in prison.
The Criminal Code of Kazakhstan removed the norm that previously allowed the kidnapper to avoid responsibility if he voluntarily released the victim. Punishment now applies in any case, regardless of the subsequent consent or release of the girl.