Tokayev reappoints Yerlan Sarsembayev as Kazakhstan's justice minister
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Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed a decree on September 3, 2026, reappointing Yerlan Sarsembayev as justice minister. The reappointment follows approval of his candidacy by the Kurultai committee on constitutional legislation, judicial system and law enforcement. Sarsembayev has led the Justice Ministry since January 9, 2025.
Key Facts
- President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed a decree on September 3, 2026, reappointing Yerlan Sarsembayev as Minister of Justice of Kazakhstan.
- Sarsembayev's candidacy was approved by the Kurultai Committee on Constitutional Legislation, Judicial System and Law Enforcement under Article 30 of the Constitutional Law "On the Kurultai of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Status of Its Deputies".
- Sarsembayev has served as Minister of Justice since January 9, 2025, and previously was a judge of the Constitutional Court of Kazakhstan from 2023 to 2025.
- Born in 1975 in Almaty region, Sarsembayev graduated from the Almaty Institute of Energy and Communications and the D.A. Kunayev Humanitarian University.
- Sarsembayev served in the National Security Committee from 2011 to 2016, including as head of the Legal Department.
Presidential Decree
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed a decree on September 3, 2026, appointing Yerlan Zhaksylykovich Sarsembayev as Minister of Justice of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The decree was published by the Akorda press service and states: "Appoint Sarsembayev Yerlan Zhaksylykovich as Minister of Justice of the Republic of Kazakhstan." Sarsembayev has led the Ministry of Justice since January 9, 2025, when he was first appointed by presidential decree.
Kurultai Approval
Before the presidential decree, the Kurultai Committee on Constitutional Legislation, Judicial System and Law Enforcement approved Sarsembayev's candidacy for the post of Minister of Justice. The committee considered the matter in accordance with Article 30 of the Constitutional Law "On the Kurultai of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Status of Its Deputies". The approval was announced by the Kurultai press service on September 3, 2026.
Career Background
Yerlan Sarsembayev was born in 1975 in Almaty region and graduated from the Almaty Institute of Energy and Communications with a degree in radio engineering and from the D.A. Kunayev Humanitarian University with a law degree. He served in the Armed Forces of Kazakhstan from 1998 to 2002 in officer positions. From 2002 to 2005, he worked as a consultant and sector head in the Prime Minister's Office, and from 2005 to 2011 he held positions in the Senate Apparatus. From 2011 to 2016, Sarsembayev served in leadership positions in the National Security Committee, including as head of the Legal Department. He was a judge of the Constitutional Court of Kazakhstan from January 1, 2023, to January 16, 2025, before his first appointment as justice minister.