The press office of the Supreme Court announced on April 19 that threats have been made against Judge Aizhan Kulbayeva, who is presiding over the case of former minister Kuandyk Bishimbayev. The threats, received via calls and messages from an unknown number, have prompted the Astana Police Department to open a criminal case.
Pre-trial proceedings are underway under Article 407 of the Criminal Code, which deals with interfering in the court's activities to obstruct justice. The judge has been provided with personal security measures.
Furthermore, numerous negative posts targeting the judge on social media have been identified, showing signs of criminal defamation. Following investigative measures, a criminal case has been initiated under Article 411 of the Criminal Code for defamation against the judge.
The court emphasized that influencing the administration of justice through defamatory materials or threats against the judge is prohibited by law. Actions that discredit the judicial authority will be prosecuted.
Kuandyk Bishimbayev is accused of the brutal murder of his civil wife Saltanat Nukenova. The case is being heard in the Specialized Inter-District Court for Criminal Cases of the capital, with Judge Aizhan Kulbayeva presiding. Kuandyk Bishimbayev and his brother, the director of "Gastrocenter" Bakhytzhan Bayzhanov, are defendants in the case.
