The mother of Uldana Myrzuan, a paramedic who died in Astana, Salima Omarova, told a court hearing that the widower's family demanded the return of 4.5 million tenge that had been given for memorial meals and loan repayment, reports infohub.kz.
During the hearing, Omarova first answered a question about the appropriate punishment for the defendant. "I do not ask that anyone be punished without guilt; I leave it to the court's discretion," she said.
She also said that Uldana had a loan, but the family learned that it could only be repaid six months after her death. "The eldest daughter asked Adilet for money for memorial meals, explaining that in May she would repay Uldana's loan herself. Due to health issues, I do not work. And those funds were spent on memorial meals and the installation of a headstone," the mother explained.
In May, Adilet's mother called and said: "You received 4.5 million," and asked for the money back. "If you refuse, we will take legal action," Omarova quoted her as saying.
She learned that Adilet Zeinel had been recognized as a victim in January or February. "In April, I came and asked how the investigation was going and whether I could be a victim. When I got home, I thought about it and decided, why shouldn't I be a victim, since I am the mother. I went to my daughter's grave and saw that there wasn't even a headstone, as if she were unknown, nameless," the mother added.
Omarova admitted that this upset her greatly, as if her daughter were an orphan. "I thought and decided to follow the investigation — my goal is not to accuse anyone, but to ensure that such a situation does not happen again and that such grief does not befall anyone else. I do not intend to accuse anyone," she stressed.
Adilet Zeinel's lawyer asked about receipts for the memorial meals, but Omarova said that in the village they do not issue receipts — the family paid by transfer or cash. "Until today, I have shown respect and addressed her as 'matchmaker,' and I did not expect such a demand from her to return the money — it upset me greatly. After all, that money was for repaying my daughter's loan," Omarova concluded.