ASTANA — 2023 · Murder
Murder of Saltanat Nukenova
On 9 November 2023, Saltanat Nukenova, the wife of former Kazakh economy minister Kuandyk Bishimbayev, was found dead in a restaurant in Astana owned by his family. Bishimbayev was detained the same day. The trial was the first in Kazakhstan to be broadcast live, and violent CCTV footage shown in court caused a nationwide outcry. In May 2024 the court found Bishimbayev guilty of murder with extreme cruelty and torture and sentenced him to 24 years in prison. The case drew wide attention across Central Asia and Russia, accelerated debate on toughening domestic violence laws in Kazakhstan and became a symbol of the fight against violence against women.
- Date
- 2023
- Place
- Astana, Kazakhstan, Astana, KZ
- Category
- Murder
- Case Status
- Solved
- Coordinates
- 51.1300, 71.4300 ↗
Timeline of Events
- 9 November 2023Nukenova was found dead in an Astana restaurant; the ex-minister was detained.
- March 2024The trial, the first broadcast live in Kazakhstan, began.
- April 2024Domestic violence law changes dominated public debate.
- 13 May 2024The former minister was sentenced to 24 years.
Sources
- VOA — Kazakh court sentences ex-minister to 24 years voanews.com ↗
- The Astana Times — Bishimbayev Gets 24 Years astanatimes.com ↗
- The Times of Central Asia — Bishimbayev sentenced to 24 years timesca.com ↗
- VOA
- The Astana Times
- The Times of Central Asia
Source grade B: at least one verifiable linked source. If you spot a mistake or something missing, report it with "Suggest a correction" in the app.
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🕯️ This record was prepared with respect, in memory of those who lost their lives.