Former Kazakhstan Minister Sentenced to 24 Years for Murdering Wife

In a landmark domestic violence case, former Kazakhstan economy minister Kuandyk Bishimbayev has been sentenced to 24 years in prison for torturing and murdering his wife, Saltanat Nukenova, in November 2023. The highly publicized trial, broadcast live over seven weeks on YouTube, marks a significant milestone in the country's efforts to combat domestic violence and ensure justice for victims, even those at the highest levels of society.

Why this matters: This case highlights the pervasive issue of domestic violence in Kazakhstan, where one in six women experience violence by a male partner, and serves as a catalyst for further reforms and a shift in attitudes towards this issue. The verdict's significance extends beyond the immediate case, as it sets a precedent for holding perpetrators accountable, regardless of their status or political connections.

The 44-year-old Bishimbayev was found guilty on Monday of "murder committed with particular cruelty" and "torture" by the court in Astana. Surveillance footage presented during the trial showed the former minister repeatedly punching and kicking his 31-year-old wife, dragging her by her hair, and insulting and humiliating her in videos found on his mobile phone in the hours before her death on November 9.

While Bishimbayev admitted to beating his wife, he denied torturing or planning to murder her, claiming some injuries were self-inflicted. However, the court ultimately rejected his defense. In addition to the lengthy prison term, Bishimbayev was ordered to pay court costs estimated at over $5,000. His cousin, Bakhytzhan Baizhanov, received a 4-year sentence as an accessory to the murder for witnessing but failing to report the crime.

The case has drawn widespread attention to the pervasive issue of domestic violence in Kazakhstan. According to government data, one in six women in the country has experienced violence by a male partner. The United Nations estimates that about 400 women die from domestic abuse in Kazakhstan each year, with many cases going unreported.

Women's rights activists have expressed mixed reactions to the verdict. Zhanar Sekerbayeva, head of the Almaty-based organization Feminita, stated her disappointment with the punishment, arguing that Bishimbayev deserved a life sentence. "Women continue to be beaten and killed in the regions today," Sekerbayeva said. "We need to punish domestic violence as severely as possible so that domestic tyrants finally realize that they are committing a terrible crime."

The trial has been seen as an attempt by authorities to send a message that even members of the elite are no longer above the law under President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's rule. It has also sparked reforms in the country's legal system, with Tokayev signing amendments in April to tighten penalties for domestic violence. However, activists argue that the legislative framework still needs further improvement to effectively combat the issue.

Bishimbayev previously served as an aide to former President Nursultan Nazarbayev and as economy minister until his arrest in 2017 for corruption. He was convicted of bribery in 2018 and sentenced to 10 years in prison, but was released after less than three years due to an amnesty and parole. The murder of Saltanat Nukenova has reignited scrutiny of Bishimbayev's political connections and raised questions about the handling of his prior conviction.

The case has helped rally public support behind a new law on domestic violence, which offers better protections to victims and shifts the responsibility for collecting evidence from victims to the police. The law, which came into effect in December, requires police to register and investigate all domestic violence complaints, even those not directly reported by the victim. While human rights groups have praised the legislation as an improvement, they note that domestic violence is still not explicitly classified as a standalone criminal offense in Kazakhstan.

The landmark trial and 24-year sentence of Kuandyk Bishimbayev for the brutal murder of his wife Saltanat Nukenova sends a powerful message about Kazakhstan's commitment to confronting domestic violence. While the verdict has drawn mixed reactions from activists who argue more needs to be done, it nonetheless represents a significant step forward in the country's efforts to protect victims and hold perpetrators accountable, regardless of their status or political connections. As the case continues to reverberate through Kazakh society, it has the potential to serve as a catalyst for further reforms and a shift in attitudes towards

Key Takeaways

• Former Kazakh economy minister Kuandyk Bishimbayev sentenced to 24 years for murdering his wife.
• Bishimbayev tortured and killed his wife Saltanat Nukenova in November 2023.
• One in six women in Kazakhstan experience domestic violence, with 400 deaths annually.
• The case has sparked reforms, including a new law on domestic violence with better protections for victims.
• The verdict sets a precedent for holding perpetrators accountable, regardless of status or connections.