Almaty, Kazakhstan – A former Minister of Kazakhstan is facing charges of torture and murder in connection with the brutal assault of his wife, leading to her tragic death due to brain trauma. The shocking incident unfolded at a family-owned restaurant in November 2023, where the 43-year-old ex-economy minister, Kuandyk Bishimbayev, was captured on camera dragging his wife by her hair and subjecting her to a relentless eight-hour attack.
The trial at the Supreme Court of Kazakhstan revealed disturbing CCTV footage of the assault, marking the first trial to be livestreamed in the country. During the trial, it was disclosed that Bishimbayev physically assaulted his wife, Saltanat Nukenova, for an extensive period at the restaurant owned by his family, without alerting the authorities.
Tragically, Nukenova succumbed to her injuries following the prolonged violent episode, which left her with severe brain trauma and multiple physical injuries. Despite the damning evidence presented in court, the former Minister has maintained his plea of not guilty, claiming that his wife’s death was the result of self-inflicted injuries.
In the wake of this horrific incident, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has signed a bill known as “Saltanat’s Law,” aimed at strengthening laws against spousal abuse in Kazakhstan. The harrowing case has shed light on the prevalence of domestic violence against women in the country, with government data indicating that one in six Kazakh women has faced violence at the hands of a male partner.
Critics have pointed out that Kazakhstan’s decriminalization of domestic violence in 2017, which reduced the punishment to mainly fines, has deterred many women from reporting such abuse, especially those from lower-income households. In response to these concerns, a proposed bill is currently under review in parliament to reverse this controversial decision and provide better protection for victims of domestic violence.
The tragic fate of Saltanat Nukenova has sparked a national conversation on the urgent need to address domestic violence in Kazakhstan and provide more robust support for victims. As the trial of the former Minister unfolds, the country grapples with the broader issue of gender-based violence and the necessary steps to create a safer environment for all its citizens.
Published On: May 4, 2024
By: Karishma Saurabh Kalita