Almaty, Kazakhstan – A former Minister of Kazakhstan faces charges of torture and murder with extreme violence after horrific footage emerged showing him brutally attacking his wife for eight hours at a family-owned restaurant. The 31-year-old victim tragically succumbed to brain trauma as a result of the vicious assault.
Kuandyk Bishimbayev, the 43-year-old ex-economy minister, is currently on trial for the murder of his wife, Saltanat Nukenova. The investigation revealed that Bishimbayev subjected Nukenova to prolonged physical abuse at the restaurant in Almaty, owned by his family, without alerting the authorities.
During the trial at the Supreme Court of Kazakhstan, harrowing CCTV footage of the heinous attack was shown, marking the first trial to be live-streamed online in the country. The video depicted Bishimbayev dragging his wife, then viciously beating and kicking her in a corner of the establishment.
Reports indicate that Bishimbayev and Nukenova had spent nearly an entire day at the restaurant before the assault, which ultimately led to the victim being found unconscious. Despite the severity of the situation, an ambulance did not arrive until 12 hours later, and Nukenova was pronounced dead at the scene.
A coroner’s report confirmed that Nukenova’s cause of death was brain trauma, with evidence of multiple injuries including a broken nasal bone and various bruises on her body. In a disturbing turn of events, it was revealed that Bishimbayev had consulted a fortune-teller following the attack, seeking reassurance regarding his wife’s fate.
Despite the overwhelming evidence against him, Bishimbayev has maintained his innocence and claimed in court that Nukenova’s injuries were self-inflicted. In response to this shocking case, Kazakhstan’s President recently signed a bill known as “Saltanat’s Law,” aimed at strengthening laws against spousal abuse in the country.
The incident has shed light on the prevalence of domestic violence in Kazakhstan, with statistics indicating that one in six Kazakh women has experienced violence from a male partner. The country’s decision to decriminalize domestic violence in 2017, primarily penalizing it with fines, has faced criticism for potentially discouraging victims from seeking help.
Efforts are underway to revise this legislation, with a new bill addressing the issue currently under consideration by parliament. The case of Kuandyk Bishimbayev serves as a sobering reminder of the urgent need to combat domestic violence and protect vulnerable individuals in society.