On April 26, 2024, in Almaty, a court concluded the case of a road accident involving a bus that resulted in the deaths of three individuals.
The court issued a verdict regarding the passenger Darhan Akhmetzhanov. He was found guilty of both hooliganism and involuntary manslaughter and was sentenced to eight years of imprisonment.
"The court has made a decision regarding Darhan Akhmetzhanov, finding him guilty on two counts and sentencing him to eight years of imprisonment," announced Judge Taken Shakirov.
The convicted individual will serve his term in a minimum-security facility.
Additionally, the court ruled that the convicted individual must compensate the victims:
- Aynur Kusainova (the widow of the deceased Aydos Kusainov) is to receive 6,397,250 tenge for material damages, 5 million tenge for moral harm, and 250,000 tenge for legal fees.
- Erasyl Baidualiev (who lost his parents in the accident) is to receive 10 million tenge for moral harm and 200,000 tenge for legal fees.
"Akhmetzhanov has been given the maximum penalty because three people died due to his actions, and there are victims. Regarding the driver, Ermek Shokbayeva, a decision has been made to recognize her as a victim. Akhmetzhanov will be the one to compensate for moral and material damages. He has been given two months to voluntarily pay the victims; if not fulfilled, enforcement will be carried out," explained the judge.
Darhan Akhmetzhanov was the only one on trial due to the bus accident on Raiymbek Avenue in Almaty. The incident occurred in December 2023. He was charged under two articles of the Criminal Code: "Hooliganism" (Article 293, part 1) and "Violation of rules ensuring the safe operation of transport resulting in the negligent death of three individuals" (Article 351, part 3).
The convicted individual apologized to the families of the deceased and those affected by the bus accident in Almaty.
The victims and the relatives of the deceased requested the court to hold not only the passenger but also the bus driver accountable for the tragic consequences of the road accident.
