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A shocking case of child abuse has concluded in Kazakhstan, with a family being handed prison sentences for the systematic torture and abuse of six foster children. The verdict was delivered by the Karaganda Regional Court, bringing a close to a case that has deeply disturbed the community.

The Verdict

The court sentenced the head of the family to 12 years in prison, his wife to 10 years, and their daughter to 4 years and 8 months. All three will serve their sentences in a medium-security correctional facility.

The Criminal Case

The trial, which lasted over a year, revealed a disturbing pattern of cruelty. The couple had taken in six children from an orphanage under a foster care arrangement. Despite receiving state funds for the children's upkeep, the investigation found that the children were subjected to abuse, beatings, and neglect instead of care.

According to the indictment, the children were forced into hard labor, made to herd livestock, and were physically punished for minor infractions. They were also deprived of adequate food. Court documents detailed horrific instances where the minors were forced to eat bread mixed with feces, sleep in a dog kennel, and endure other forms of humiliation and violence.

Representatives for the victims fully supported the prosecution's stance, demanding severe punishment for the accused. Lawyer Berik Orazbekov highlighted the negligence of guardianship authorities, suggesting it contributed to the five years of abuse the children endured.

The Defendants' Response

The accused maintained their innocence throughout the proceedings. The father, who worked as a rural school principal, claimed he treated the foster children as his own and never resorted to violence, calling the case a fabricated one intended to harm his family.

The defense attorney for one of the accused, Assel Koishybaeva, argued that the investigation was marred by procedural violations and that the evidence presented did not conclusively prove her client's guilt.

Despite the defendants' and their lawyers' pleas, the court found all three guilty and imposed significant prison sentences. The verdict is not yet legally binding, and the parties involved have the right to appeal.

Source: Infohub.kz reports.