On May 3, 2024, legal debates continued in the case of Kuandyk Bishimbayev. The mother of the defendant, Almira Nurlibekova, appeared in court and apologized to the relatives of Saltanat Nukenova.
She expressed that their families had been destined by a great trial from the Almighty. Nurlibekova acknowledged the irreparable loss of Saltanat's passing, emphasizing the daily prayers offered for her. She humbly prayed for her son, acknowledging the tragic mistake he made and the unbearable pain it caused.
Nurlibekova believed that Bishimbayev deserved punishment, albeit proportionate to his actions. She criticized the negative portrayal of her son by the lawyers of the victim's side, denouncing it as pressure on the jury. She pleaded with the court and jury not to place the society's burdens solely on her son, urging for fairness in judgment.
Reflecting on her parenting, Nurlibekova admitted to a complete failure in raising her son, vowing to analyze and understand her shortcomings. She painted a picture of a loving and respectful upbringing in a large, harmonious Kazakh family, instilling values of kindness, respect, responsibility, and decency in Bishimbayev.
Nurlibekova revealed that Bishimbayev loved Saltanat, and their families joyously embraced their relationship. She attributed the tragedy to a combination of jealousy, despair, alcohol, and nervous exhaustion. Pleading for mercy not for herself but for Bishimbayev's four children, especially considering three of them were minors, she begged for a chance at redemption.
Earlier, the court concluded the judicial investigation, moving on to the debates between the parties. Prosecutor Aizhan Aimaghanova presented the prosecution's stance, while Saltanat Nukenova's brother, Aitbek Amangeldey, appealed to the jury for justice.
The victims' side lawyer, Zhanna Urazbakhova, and Damir Ishmametov maintained that Bishimbayev and Bayzhanov's guilt in the crime was fully proven by the evidence provided by the prosecution. Leila Ramazanova voiced the defense's position, supported by Erlan Gazymzhanov, who argued that Bishimbayev had no motive to kill Saltanat Nukenova.
