Today, on May 4, 2024, another court hearing took place in the criminal case against Kuandyk Bishimbayev and Bakhytzhan Bayzhanov . According to the press service of the Supreme Court, the final statements of the defendants will take place on May 6.
During the court session, it was emphasized that the defendants presented their arguments, followed by the rebuttals from the parties. The court then proceeded to the second part of the debates without the participation of the jurors (in accordance with Article 651 of the Criminal Procedure Code, the debates with the participation of jurors consist of two parts).
In the second part of the debates, the parties presented their positions on the qualification of the defendants' actions, the determination of punishment, and the civil claim. The press service of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Kazakhstan stated, "The final statements of the defendants will take place on May 6, 2024, at 10:00".
Earlier, it was reported that the debates in the criminal court of Astana concluded in the case of former minister Bishimbayev with the participation of jurors. On May 2, the court announced the completion of the judicial investigation and transition to the debates between the parties. Prosecutor Aizhan Aymaganova presented the prosecution's position. Later, Aitbek Amangeldey , the brother of Saltanat Nukhanova , addressed the jurors and requested justice.
Furthermore, the lawyer for the victims' side, Zhanna Urazbakova , spoke in court and stated that the guilt of Bishimbayev and Bayzhanov in the committed crime is fully proven by the evidence presented by the prosecution. The same opinion is held by the lawyer Damir Ishmametov .
Leyla Ramazanova voiced the defense's position. The defense lawyer, Erlan Gazymzhanov , also expressed his views during the debates. He believes that Kuandyk Bishimbayev had no motive to kill Saltanat Nukhanova. The mother of the defendant, Almira Nurlibekova , apologized to the relatives of Saltanat Nukhanova during her statement in court.
On May 3, Kuandyk Bishimbayev presented his position during the debates.
