The Criminal Procedure Code of Kyrgyzstan introduced a minimum bail threshold: at least 500,000 KGS for serious crimes

President Sadyr Zhaparov signed a law amending the Criminal Procedure Code of the Kyrgyz Republic. The new document changes the approach to the use of bail as a preventive measure and enhances the transparency of court proceedings.

The main innovation is the introduction of minimum thresholds for bail depending on the severity of the criminal case. Now, for cases:

• of minor severity and less serious crimes, bail cannot be less than 50,000 KGS.
• for serious and particularly serious crimes, bail cannot be less than 500,000 KGS.

The updated version of Article 112 also clarifies that when determining the amount of bail, the court must take into account not only the nature of the crime and the personality of the accused, but also their financial situation. This should reduce the risk of abuse and make the bail mechanism more fair.

In addition, the law strengthens the requirements for video recording of court proceedings: from now on, hearings must be recorded on audio and video, and the absence of such recordings may be grounds for reviewing a court decision.

The changes are aimed at improving the efficiency of justice, strengthening the guarantees of the rights of the accused, and increasing trust in the judicial system.