Kyrgyzstan is moving towards establishing a comprehensive legal framework for digital evidence, following the passage of relevant legislative amendments through their second and third readings in the Jogorku Kenesh on 28 October 2026. To support this process, the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek and the Ministry of Justice of the Kyrgyz Republic jointly organized a three-day seminar and training in the Chuy region from 4 to 6 November.
The event brought together representatives of key national institutions, including the Ministry of Justice, the Prosecutor General's Office, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Forensic Service under the Ministry of Justice, the Office of the President, and members of the interagency working group. Participants discussed legislative developments, new procedural mechanisms, and practical approaches to identifying, collecting, preserving and seizing digital evidence.
Discussions covered the opportunities and obligations arising from the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime, as well as the Council of Europe Convention on Cybercrime, including mechanisms for obtaining electronic evidence held in other countries. An expert from the OSCE Secretariat's Transnational Threats Department / Action against Terrorism Unit (TNTD/ATU) presented the OSCE's work to strengthen Central Asian countries' capacity to obtain electronic evidence across borders.
A dedicated session examined the proposed legislative amendments and their envisaged procedural mechanisms, focusing on their practical application and potential implementation challenges. Participants also discussed approaches to investigating internet fraud and recovering funds for victims. The final day focused on the practical aspects of investigative procedures involving digital evidence, including its collection and seizure.
The development of a comprehensive legal framework for digital evidence marks an important step towards aligning the justice system with today's digital realities. Clear procedural rules will help ensure that digital information is obtained, handled and presented as evidence in a lawful and reliable manner, while safeguarding human rights and the rule of law.
Since 2022, the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek, in cooperation with the OSCE TNTD/ATU, has supported the Kyrgyz Republic in strengthening its institutional capacity to collect, preserve, handle and use electronic evidence. This assistance has included specialized training courses for practitioners and expert support in developing national approaches to digital evidence.
Participants emphasized that further efforts are needed to translate recent legislative changes into effective practice. Key priorities include developing the necessary secondary legislation and practical guidelines, as well as ensuring continued capacity-building for professionals across the justice and law enforcement sectors.
