Murder of Saltanat Nukenova: Astana court declines appeals from Bishimbayev and Baizhanov

AKIPRESS.COM - The Astana City Court made a decision on the appeals from former Minister of National Economy of Kazakhstan Kuandyk Bishimbayev and his brother Bakhytzhan Baizhanov. The court left the verdict of the first instance unchanged, NUR.KZ reports.
The verdict of the first instance was legal and justified, Judge Shynar Yergalieva stated. The arguments of Bishimbayev's defense about violations of the jury formation were not confirmed.
Bishimbayev's defense insisted on numerous violations during the trial of the first instance, including the selection of the jury and the actions of the judge and prosecutors. Baizhanov's defense also asked to cancel the sentence, considering it unfounded.
The high-profile trial of the murder of Saltanat Nukenova, Bishimbayev's common-law wife, ended in Astana on May 13. It was held with a jury. The court found the former Minister guilty of the torture and murder of Nukenova, and sentenced him to 24 years in prison.
Bishimbayev's brother, Bakhytzhan Baizhanov, director of the Gastrocenter where the crime occurred, was sentenced to four years in prison for concealing the crime.
The defenders of Baizhanov and Bishimbayev filed an appeal against the verdict at the end of May.

• Kazakhstan