Kyrgyzstan adopts bill banning advertising of fortune tellers, psychics in first reading

The Kyrgyzstan Supreme Council Committee on Social Policy adopted in the first reading the bill “On Amendments to the Law On Advertising”, according to which advertising of fortune tellers and psychics will be prohibited in the republic, Report informs via 24.kg news agency.

According to the agency, the document was initiated by 25 MPs. An initiator of the bill, MP Marlen Mamataliev, noted that citizens who are in a difficult position in life often turn to psychics and sorcerers, who guarantee them, with the help of their supernatural abilities, relief from problems. The bill is designed to stop manipulating the consciousness of citizens.

“A person in desperation is ready to believe anyone who promises to eliminate all problems. So-called magicians and psychics play on these feelings. They have extensive experience in manipulating people’s consciousness. It is sad to see that in our age of high technology and scientific progress, many citizens fall into tricks of so-called psychics and magicians,” the agency cites a message from the background document for the bill.

Mamataliev initiated the bill in November 2023.

The bill must be approved in three readings before entering into force. After this, it is sent to the president to be signed.

Once signed by the president, the law comes into force.