General amnesty in criminal proceedings in Kazakhstan and Turkey: features of application to unfinished criminal cases

Amnesty is a legal institution that expresses the state’s complete or partial renunciation of its power to prosecute and punish crimes, producing significant consequences for both substantive criminal law and criminal procedure law. This study first examines the concept and types of amnesty, and subsequently analyzes the legal effects of general amnesty within the framework of criminal law and criminal procedure law. An analysis of the legislation of Kazakhstan and Turkey is conducted, рarticular emphasis is placed on the procedural implications of applying general amnesty to ongoing investigations and prosecutions. In this context, issues such as the decision of non-prosecution during the investigation phase, the dismissal of the case during the prosecution phase, and the possibility of immediate acquittal in certain circumstances are discussed. It is essential to establish in the criminal procedure legislation of Kazakhstan and Turkey a mandatory requirement to ascertain a person’s position regarding the application of amnesty at all stages of criminal proceedings, as the termination of criminal prosecution due to amnesty should not automatically deprive a person of the opportunity to seek a trial on the merits and establish their innocence.

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