The court proceedings for the former Minister of National Economy, Kuandyk Bishimbayev, continued in Astana on April 10th. The judge, Aizhan Kulbayeva, announced the removal of media representatives from the courtroom due to disrespect towards the court. This decision was made after it was revealed that during the previous hearing, the faces of the jurors were filmed, which was initially prohibited. The footage was later circulated on social media platforms.
Judge Kulbayeva inquired whether the jurors had experienced any pressure, to which they responded negatively. She emphasized the importance of respecting the court's decisions and highlighted the prohibition of photographing or filming the jurors to avoid any non-procedural contact or interference. Failure to comply would result in appropriate measures being taken by the court.
The judge also mentioned the necessity of identifying and holding accountable those responsible for spreading the photos and videos of the jurors, emphasizing the importance of conducting a fair trial by temporarily excluding all media from the courtroom until the investigation is completed.
The case against Kuandyk Bishimbayev, who was arrested on suspicion of murdering his wife Saltanat Nukenova in a restaurant in Nur-Sultan on November 9, 2023, has garnered significant public attention. The court session on April 8 featured testimonies from a paramedic and a patrol police officer, shedding light on the events surrounding the tragic incident.
Additionally, the victim's lawyer, Zhanna Urazbakova, disclosed the cause of Saltanat Nukenova's death on April 4, while on April 1, Kuandyk Bishimbayev delivered a speech in court, expressing remorse to the Nukenova family but denying intentional involvement in her death.
Witnesses, including Damir Meirbekov and forensic expert Takhir Khalimnazarov, provided crucial insights during the court hearings, detailing the events of that fateful night and the injuries sustained by Saltanat Nukenova, ultimately leading to her demise.
