Kuandyk Bishimbayev, a former Minister of Kazakhstan, finds himself facing grave charges of torture and murder with extreme violence following a horrifying incident that unfolded in November 2023. Caught on camera, Bishimbayev was filmed dragging his wife, Saltanat Nukenova, by her hair and subjecting her to a prolonged and brutal assault lasting over eight hours within a family-owned restaurant in Almaty. Tragically, Nukenova, aged 31, succumbed to brain trauma sustained during the harrowing ordeal.
Facing trial at the Supreme Court of Kazakhstan, Bishimbayev's actions were laid bare as CCTV footage of the assault was played—a moment of unprecedented transparency as the trial became the first to be streamed online in the country. In the footage, Bishimbayev is seen aggressively manhandling Nukenova, ultimately subjecting her to a vicious barrage of blows and kicks.
Reports from Reuters indicate that Bishimbayev and Nukenova had spent an extended period at the restaurant before the assault, with Nukenova being discovered unconscious some 12 hours later. Tragically, despite medical intervention, she was pronounced dead at the scene. A subsequent coroner's report attributed Nukenova's demise to severe brain trauma, compounded by fractures to her nasal bone and extensive bruising across her body.
In a disturbing turn of events, it was revealed that Bishimbayev had consulted a fortune-teller following the assault, seeking reassurance regarding his wife's fate—an action that adds a chilling layer to the case.
Throughout the trial, Bishimbayev has maintained his innocence, contending that Nukenova's injuries were self-inflicted—a claim met with skepticism in light of the compelling evidence presented.
This tragic incident has prompted significant legal action in Kazakhstan, culminating in the enactment of "Saltanat's Law," a bill aimed at bolstering spousal abuse laws in response to cases of domestic violence. Shockingly, government statistics reveal that one in six Kazakh women has endured violence at the hands of a male partner, underscoring the urgency of legislative intervention.
Despite strides towards addressing domestic violence, Kazakhstan's previous move to decriminalize such offenses in 2017 has drawn criticism for its perceived inadequacy in deterring perpetrators and providing adequate protection for victims, particularly those from marginalized backgrounds. Efforts to reverse this legislation are currently underway in parliament, signaling a pivotal moment in the nation's ongoing battle against domestic abuse and gender-based violence.
