The trial of former Kazakhstan minister Kuandyk Bishimbayev has captured national attention after chilling CCTV footage was presented in court, showing him beating his wife, Saltanat Nukenova, to death in a restaurant last November.
The video, spanning eight hours, depicts Bishimbayev repeatedly kicking and punching Nukenova, ultimately dragging her by the hair to an area without cameras. Prosecutors detailed how he broke down a door to continue the assault when Nukenova attempted to seek refuge in a restroom.
Tragically, despite her severe injuries, emergency medical assistance was not summoned promptly. Instead, Bishimbayev contacted a fortune-teller before eventually calling for an ambulance, which arrived too late to save Nukenova’s life. A coroner’s report confirmed her cause of death as brain trauma, accompanied by extensive physical injuries.
Bishimbayev faces charges of torture and murder with extreme violence, carrying a potential prison sentence of up to 20 years. The trial, broadcasted on social media, has ignited discussions about gender equality and domestic violence in Kazakhstan, with many expressing concerns about the influence of wealth and privilege on legal outcomes.
This case echoes previous controversies involving Bishimbayev, who was previously convicted on bribery charges but was released from prison after less than three years due to amnesty and parole. The trial’s outcome is being closely watched as a test of Kazakhstan’s commitment to justice and accountability in cases of violence against women.
Sources By Agencies
