General Prosecutor's Office explains penalties for storing extremist materials in Kyrgyzstan

In Kyrgyzstan, storing extremist materials carries a fine of 20,000 som, while producing and distributing them is punishable by up to seven years in prison. The General Prosecutor's Office of the Kyrgyz Republic has clarified the liability citizens face for storing and distributing prohibited content online.

According to Article 142-1 of the Code of the Kyrgyz Republic on Infringements, storing extremist materials, in the absence of elements of a crime in a person's actions, incurs a fine of 200 calculation indexes, or 20,000 som.

At the same time, an individual can avoid administrative liability by voluntarily reporting the storage of such materials to law enforcement agencies.

The law provides for stricter punishment for the production and distribution of extremist content. According to Article 332 of the Criminal Code of the Kyrgyz Republic, the production, distribution, transportation, and forwarding of such materials, as well as their acquisition or storage for distribution purposes, carries a penalty of three to five years in prison. If aggravating circumstances are present, the term increases to five to seven years.

Such violations on the internet include publishing prohibited materials on personal pages and websites, forwarding them to other users, and posting them in groups and channels.

Participation in banned organizations carries up to 15 years in prison

The law establishes separate criminal liability for creating and managing an extremist organization, financing it, and participating in its activities. According to Article 331 of the Criminal Code of the Kyrgyz Republic, the maximum penalty for certain acts in the presence of aggravating circumstances reaches 15 years in prison.

Meanwhile, participating in the activities of an organization banned by a court decision is punishable by up to two years in prison or a fine ranging from 200 to 500 calculation indexes. Harsher penalties are set for organizing activities, recruiting participants, and financing extremism.

This refers to organizations whose activities have been banned or liquidated by a court decision that has entered into legal force in connection with extremist activities. Unlawful actions also include involving new participants, coordinating the organization's activities, and providing it with financial or other resources.

In addition, Article 332-1 of the Criminal Code of the Kyrgyz Republic establishes criminal liability for repeated storage of extremist materials. If a person commits the same act again within a year after receiving an administrative penalty for a similar offense, they face up to three years in prison.

Viewing materials does not mean automatic prosecution

The General Prosecutor's Office specifically emphasizes the need to distinguish between reviewing information, storing materials, producing and distributing them, and participating in the activities of banned organizations.

Simply viewing a publication, video, or reading information on the internet does not mean automatic liability. Legal assessment depends on the specific actions of the individual and the presence of elements of an offense or crime provided for by law.

The agency recommends that users refrain from saving and forwarding materials recognized by courts as extremist or terrorist, and avoid providing financial or other support to banned organizations.

Where to check prohibited materials

The General Prosecutor's Office has published lists of organizations and informational materials recognized by courts as terrorist and/or extremist and banned within the territory of Kyrgyzstan.

The registries can be viewed in the "Activities" section on the General Prosecutor's Office website.

The agency urges citizens to check the legal status of information before publishing or distributing it, and recommends that parents monitor the internet activity of their minor children.

Liability for storing extremist materials was introduced into the legislation of Kyrgyzstan in July 2025. President Sadyr Japarov signed Law No. 160, which supplemented the Code on Infringements with Article 142-1 and the Criminal Code with Article 332-1. The document also clarified the procedure for recognizing informational materials as extremist and terrorist.

At the same time, Article 142-1 provides for exceptions: it does not apply if the storage of materials is associated with lawful scientific, educational, or expert activities in the manner prescribed by law.