Today, on April 29, 2024, the Specialized Interdistrict Court for Criminal Cases in Astana begins hearings in the case of former Minister of National Economy of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kuandyk Bishimbayev, and the director of "Gastrocenter", Bakhytzhan Bayzhanov.
Kuandyk Bishimbayev is accused of the brutal murder of his civil wife, Saltanat Nukenova, while Bakhytzhan Bayzhanov is accused of concealing and not reporting the crime.
First Part of the Court Session
The court hearings did not commence at 10:00 as the defendants Kuandyk Bishimbayev and Bakhytzhan Bayzhanov were absent due to issues with the convoy service.
Judge Aizhan Kulbayeva stated, "The main court proceedings should take place with the mandatory presence of the defendants in the courtroom. Considering the issues with the convoy service and that the defendants will be brought in after 11:00, the main court proceedings are postponed until 14:30."
The court hearings for Bishimbayev did not start on time as the defendants did not appear in court due to problems with the convoy service. Consequently, instead of 10:00, the hearings were rescheduled to 14:30.
Second Part of the Court Session
At 14:36, the court reconvened after the break. The public prosecutor, Sayakhat Nurbekov, requested to resume the judicial investigation to file a motion regarding the qualification of the accusation against the second defendant, Bakhytzhan Bayzhanov.
The prosecutor stated, "The prosecution withdraws the accusation against Bayzhanov under Article 434 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan, i.e., for not reporting the crime. To continue the consideration of the criminal case against Bayzhanov for the accusation of committing a crime under Article 432 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan – concealment of a particularly serious crime not previously promised."
He requested to accept the new wording of the accusation. The parties did not object, and the judge granted the motion to resume the judicial investigation.
Defense lawyer Erlan Gazymzhanov stated, "We do not object, but since there is a new formulation and new arguments, we need time. We must receive the new indictment in writing, we must coordinate with my client. Therefore, we request time. Two to three days."
As a result, the judge announced that the court session is adjourned.
Recall that at the previous session held on April 24, 2024, Judge Aizhan Kulbayeva announced the completion of the judicial investigation in the case of Kuandyk Bishimbayev and Bakhytzhan Bayzhanov. According to the judge, the hearings will take place on April 29, 30, May 2, 3, and 4.
On the same day, the court questioned the housekeeper of the suspect, who described the quarrel between Bishimbayev and Nukenova. A clairvoyant who Bishimbayev consulted on the day of Saltanat's death was also interrogated.
Overall, 17 court sessions have been held in the case, starting from March 27.
