The court accepted the request to have the case of the former Minister of National Economy, Kuandyk Bishimbayev, considered by a jury. However, the judge rejected the defense's requests to return the case to the prosecutor and reclassify the charges to "Involuntary Manslaughter" under Article 104 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Earlier, Bishimbayev's lawyers asked the court to send the case back for further investigation and requested a crime scene reconstruction. Nukonova's lawyer requested the court to dismiss all defense requests. Both sides agreed to a trial by jury.
On March 11, the first trial took place, during which the prosecution presented its version of the events. According to the indictment, on the day of the murder (November 8, 2023), Kuandyk Bishimbayev and Saltanat Nukonova were at a concert in the capital where an argument ensued between them. Despite this, they went to a restaurant together where the conflict escalated, resulting in the beating and death of Saltanat Nukonova.
The accused and his lawyers also presented their positions. Bishimbayev denies his guilt and wishes to be judged by a jury, while his lawyers demand a reclassification of the charges.
On November 9, 2023, it was reported that the former Minister of National Economy, Kuandyk Bishimbayev, was arrested on suspicion of murdering his wife. The tragedy occurred at the Bau restaurant in the capital.
