President Tokayev Signs Law Strengthening Criminal Liability for Violence Against Health Workers

Astana, The Gulf Observer: President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has signed into law amendments and additions to the Criminal Code and the Criminal Procedure Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Akorda presidential administration announced. The full text of the law will be published in the press.

The amendments introduce a new Article 380-3 to the Criminal Code, establishing criminal liability for acts of violence or threats of violence against health workers and ambulance crew drivers.

Under the new law, threatening health workers or ambulance personnel can result in a fine of 200 to 500 monthly calculation indices, corrective labor of the same amount, community service of up to 300 hours, or restriction or deprivation of liberty for up to two years. In cases with aggravating circumstances, the penalty increases to two to three years of restriction or deprivation of liberty.

Acts of violence not dangerous to life or health are punishable by fines of 500 to 1,000 monthly calculation indices, corrective labor, community service of up to 600 hours, or restriction or deprivation of liberty for two to three years. Aggravating circumstances increase the sentence to three to seven years of restriction or imprisonment.

Violence that poses a threat to life and health carries a prison term of five to ten years, which can increase to seven to twelve years if aggravating circumstances are present.

The legislation aims to enhance the protection of medical personnel and ensure the safety of frontline health and emergency service workers in Kazakhstan.