In Astana on April 15, 2024, the 10th court session began at 9:30 regarding the criminal case of former Minister of National Economy of Kazakhstan Kuandyk Bishimbayev, who is accused of the brutal murder of his civil wife Saltanat Nukenova. The Supreme Court of Kazakhstan is conducting an online broadcast from the courtroom.
The case of the former minister is being considered in the Specialized Inter-District Court for Criminal Cases of the capital, with the judge presiding over it being the chairperson of this court, Aizhan Kulbayeva. Kuandyk Bishimbayev and his brother, the director of "Gastrocenter" Bakhytzhan Bayzhanov, are sitting in the dock.
During the ninth court session, Kuandyk Bishimbayev's defense team requested the recusal of the presiding judge Aizhan Kulbayeva. In accordance with the norms of the Criminal Procedure Code of Kazakhstan, the recusal was considered by the judge of the same court, Seyfulla Tasymbetov. The recusal of the judge was rejected, and the case proceedings resumed.
The court then proceeded to interrogate the second defendant, Bakhytzhan Bayzhanov, at the request of his defense attorney. The brother of the former minister expressed condolences to the family of Saltanat. According to him, from November 8 to 9, Kuandyk Bishimbayev was causing disturbances, drinking alcohol, and once again beat his wife. Bakhytzhan Bayzhanov shared his version of the events of the day when Saltanat Nukenova died.
