In Kazakhstan, there is a discussion about transitioning to a new model of jury court system. The corresponding norm is included in a draft law aimed at optimizing the Criminal, Criminal Procedure, and Criminal Executive Codes, which was previously approved by deputies in the first reading.
According to Deputy of the Mazhilis Nikolay Aksyutin, the proposed amendment implies a shift to the classical model of jury courts, where decisions are made by jurors without the participation of a judge in a deliberation room. In this regard, the parliamentarian inquired about the opinions of the Minister of Justice and a representative of the Supreme Court.
Responding to the deputy's question, Minister of Justice Azamat Eskaraev recalled that Kazakhstan currently operates a mixed model of jury courts, where not only jurors but also the presiding judge are present in the deliberation room.
"As of January 1, 2024, courts with jurors can consider 44 compositions. We expect that around 950 criminal cases will be heard by jury courts this year. Speaking about transitioning to the classical model, we conceptually support this idea. Last year in November, this issue was brought to the international council at the Supreme Court and was approved by international experts. However, we all understand that this is a serious, complex issue that requires thorough consideration," concluded Asylbek Musralinov, Deputy Head of the Judicial Administration.
It is worth noting that the case of Kuandyk Bishimbayev will be heard by a jury court. The court granted the request of the former Minister of National Economy on March 12, 2024.
