Actor and entertainer Nursultan Zhaksygen has been sentenced to 2 years and 3 months in prison for spreading knowingly false information online. He was taken into custody in the courtroom immediately after the verdict was announced, according to infohub.kz.
The case was heard by the Karasai District Court of Almaty Region. Zhaksygen was found guilty under Article 274, Part 2, Clause 3 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan — "Dissemination of knowingly false information using online platforms." He will serve his sentence in a medium-security correctional facility.
The court also partially granted a civil claim filed by the actor's ex-wife, ordering Zhaksygen to pay her 5 million tenge.
The story gained public attention after Fariza Almazkyzy spoke on social media about her conflict with her ex-husband. She claimed that information defaming her reputation was being spread online.
Screenshots of messages containing insults directed at the woman and her relatives also appeared on social media. In particular, the published messages included claims about Almazkyzy's intimate life and appearance.
Zhaksygen had previously denied guilt. He claimed his accounts could have been hacked and that the offensive messages and comments could have been posted from fake accounts.
A stalking charge was also mentioned earlier in the case. However, the court found the actor guilty only under the article related to spreading knowingly false information.
After the ruling was announced, Almazkyzy posted a video on social media. According to her, this was an important moment for her after a lengthy conflict and court proceedings. She thanked people for their support.
The verdict has not yet entered into legal force. The defense has the option to appeal.
Nursultan Zhaksygen is an actor, blogger and former member of "Zhaidarman." He and Almazkyzy have two children together.
Earlier, Kursiv reported that a judicial panel of the Karaganda Regional Court upheld the sentence of Saida Yeleusinova, the wife of Olympic boxing champion Daniyar Yeleusinov. She was found guilty of assaulting two victims.