A trial has begun in Atyrau in the case of the brutal murder of a man serving time for crimes against children. The tragedy occurred in colony No. 15, where five inmates are accused of killing 51-year-old Dabyl Utegenov, reports infohub.kz.
According to the publication Ak Zhaik, the hearings are led by Judge Zarema Khamidullina, who sentenced Utegenov three years ago. The prosecution says the incident happened on March 22, 2026, after a quarrel over the repair of a washing machine. One of the convicts decided to settle scores with Utegenov and enlisted four others.
The victim was taken to a separate room, after covering one of the surveillance cameras with a black cap. As the investigation claims, he was beaten to death there using a plastic pipe, a wooden object, and a screwdriver.
The incident came to light after an operator noticed the covered camera and alerted the duty officer. Prison staff arriving at the scene found Utegenov unconscious on the floor in the washroom. Medics pronounced him dead. An examination confirmed that the injuries directly led to his death.
During the investigation, the accused gave contradictory testimonies. One admitted to striking with his hands and a wooden object, another confirmed covering the camera, and a third, according to the investigation, recognized himself on the recording with a screwdriver and a stick. Three have been charged with murder committed by a group in a premeditated conspiracy, and two others with aiding and abetting.
Some defense lawyers disagreed with the charges and asked for them to be changed or for the prosecution to be dropped. Now the court must determine the role of each of the five defendants and deliver a verdict.