In the Specialized Interdistrict Court for Criminal Cases of the Pavlodar Region, a preliminary hearing took place regarding a high-profile extortion case involving the first deputy akim of the region, Serik Batyrguzhinov. The accused, a female resident of Pavlodar born in 1985, is charged with aggravated extortion. If convicted, she could face imprisonment for a period ranging from seven to 15 years. The victim's representatives insisted on a closed court session.
The victim's representative stated, "Our request is related to the fact that the defendant raised intimate questions." However, the judge rejected the request for a closed session, citing the nature of the extortion case. Additionally, there was a request for the official's participation in the proceedings online due to health reasons. In January 2024, the deputy akim was involved in a car accident, and according to his representative in court, he still has difficulty moving.
Nevertheless, the testimonies of both sides will now be heard in an open court session. Earlier, social media spread information alleging that a high-ranking official in Pavlodar had raped a mother of a disabled child in his office and then promised to support her. Today in court, the woman told journalists that she had visited the Akimat of the Pavlodar Region in May 2023 at the invitation of the deputy akim, not expecting such an incident to occur in the administration building.
She explained that she did not file a report immediately as she was a widow at the time, caring for two children, one of whom was seriously ill. In October, her disabled child from Group I passed away, and she was removed from the housing queue in Astana. She reminded the deputy akim of his promise to help her, and he reported the incident to the police.
"I also reported the rape, but the case was closed, it did not reach court, it's unfair," the woman told journalists. According to the regional Akimat's press service, the Pavlodar Region Police Department has initiated a criminal case based on a complaint by Serik Batyrguzhinov about extortion.
"Serik Batyrguzhinov is the victim. Currently, an investigation has been conducted, and the facts presented by the accused in her defense have been verified and not confirmed," stated the regional Akimat. The defendant has exercised her right to a jury trial, with candidate selection scheduled for April 10th.
