Kazakhstan court downgrades rape charges against four college students who assaulted 14-year-old girl to 'consensual sex with a minor'
A Kazakhstani court convicted four college students for the sexual assault of a 14-year-old girl, but reduced charges for three from rape to consensual sex with a minor, despite surveillance footage showing threats and the victim fighting back.
A court in Kazakhstan has delivered verdicts in a high-profile sexual assault case against a 14-year-old girl, sentencing two of four college students to 13 years in prison each, a third to eight years, and a fourth to two years and eight months, according to the anti-sexual-violence foundation NeMolchiKZ.
The case drew public attention in spring 2026 when the victim's parents accused police of shielding the perpetrators. According to the parents, four college students assaulted their daughter in August 2025 after gaining her trust and allegedly drugging her. Police concluded the girl had voluntarily engaged in sexual intercourse, a claim the parents disputed, suggesting one defendant's family influenced the investigation.
After the investigation concluded, NeMolchiKZ joined the case, revealing additional details. The defendants had known the victim for six months. On the day of the crime, the defendants used drugs while the girl was under the influence of alcohol. She was later found to have physical injuries and signs of post-traumatic stress disorder. Surveillance cameras captured the defendants threatening her, and the girl bit and pushed them away. Despite this, three defendants had their charges reduced from rape to consensual sexual intercourse with a person under 16, while the fourth was charged only with failure to report a crime.
The foundation noted that the defense likely presented videos and messages involving the girl, but emphasized that a minor's communications cannot justify group sexual violence. Rights advocates also alleged that law enforcement demeaned the victim in case materials and court. For instance, files described the girl as having "led an active sex life from the age of ten and herself expresses a desire to engage in sexual relations with older boys." The prosecutor argued the girl enjoyed being choked and that a defendant's threat to "break your jaw right now" was not a threat.
These details emerged solely from NeMolchiKZ, as the trial was closed. Defendants' names were not disclosed. Meduza could not obtain comments from defendants, attorneys, or the prosecutor's office. Police stated they would review the parents' complaints.
The judge declined to change the legal classification of the charges, even though two defendants received sentences over ten years. NeMolchiKZ called this interpretation a dangerous precedent for Kazakhstan. The rights group vowed to appeal and take the case to the UN and Human Rights Watch. They also launched a social media campaign under #TolkoMoyoDA ("Only My YES") to advocate for amending Kazakhstan's laws to require active consent for sex.
