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In a poignant moment during a cassation hearing, Rabiga Duisengulova, the wife of Bakhytzhan Baizhanov, made an emotional plea to the court to lessen her husband's sentence. The hearing, held in Astana, reviewed the appeal filed on behalf of Baizhanov's relatives.

Defense Arguments

Baizhanov's lawyer, Alibek Sekerov, argued for a reduced sentence, emphasizing his client's clean criminal record, positive character references, and the absence of aggravating circumstances. Sekerov also pointed out that Baizhanov has minor children.

The defense highlighted that Baizhanov's actions were classified as concealing a crime and were not directly related to causing harm to life or health. Consequently, the defense requested a shorter prison term or a suspended sentence.

Wife's Emotional Testimony

Following the lawyers, Rabiga Duisengulova, who also serves as a public defender for Baizhanov, addressed the court. She supported the defense's arguments, urging for a lighter sentence for her husband.

"I am speaking before you not only as a defender but as someone who knows Baizhanov well. My husband has never denied his actions. To conceal a crime, one must first know about it. My husband did not know and could not have known what happened," Duisengulova stated.

She also revealed that the family had made multiple attempts to apologize to Saltanat Nukenova's relatives. "We have apologized several times. Bakhytzhan himself apologized personally in court. Bakhytzhan's parents traveled to Pavlodar themselves to meet with Saltanat's relatives. Therefore, it is unfair to say we showed disrespect or indifference. We were not seeking acquittal, but genuinely trying to seek forgiveness," she emphasized.

Duisengulova described the sentence imposed on her husband as disproportionate, suggesting it was a result of public outcry. "I ask you to consider the clear disproportion of the sentence imposed on my husband. He received the maximum penalty of 4 years, while court practice for concealing a crime rarely exceeds 2 years. In cases of concealing crimes, courts often limit themselves to suspended sentences. Such a harsh sentence for Bakhytzhan seems to be a result of public resonance, not an objective fair trial. Public opinion should not replace legal norms in a case," she argued.

She further detailed her family's difficult situation, imploring the court to consider their minor children. "My husband is in prison. I am raising young children alone. Yesterday, my middle child and I were discharged from the hospital; he has a fractured jaw. He requires ongoing treatment and care. My burden is immense – both physically and financially," she informed the court.

Duisengulova stressed that the punishment affects not just her husband but the entire family. "In reality, in this situation, it is not just my husband who is being punished, but we, my children and I, are also suffering. We are being punished morally and physically. The children are growing up without a father during the most crucial period of their lives. I ask you for compassion, as your decision directly impacts the lives and recovery of my children," she added.

Victim's Side's Response

Following the defense, the victim's side presented their case. Aitbek Amangeldy, Saltanat Nukenova's brother, requested the court to dismiss the cassation appeals.

He drew the court's attention to the fact that Baizhanov's sentence had been reduced under an amnesty, which was unrelated to his remorse or good conduct. Amangeldy stated that he saw no grounds for reviewing the verdict.

He also pointed out inconsistencies in Baizhanov's statements, noting, "In the documents, he states he regrets, that the system influenced him, and he is ready for release. But in a private conversation, Baizhanov claims he is innocent."

Saltanat's brother emphasized that each court session concerning Baizhanov is a重 burden on their family. "My parents were hospitalized for a long time because of this. All of this is a consequence of these actions. Even these court sessions, their public display, recording, and discussion in the news – all of this is truly very difficult," he stated.

The victim's lawyers also opposed the cassation appeals, seeking to uphold the previous court decisions. The prosecutor similarly found no grounds to alter the previously issued court acts.

Court's Decision

After hearing from all parties, the court retired to deliberate. The court ultimately decided to uphold the verdict against Bakhytzhan Baizhanov.

"To leave the verdict of the Specialized Interdistrict Court for Criminal Cases of Astana dated May 13, 2024, and the ruling of the Judicial Board for Criminal Cases of the Astana City Court dated June 26, 2024, unchanged regarding Baizhanov Bakhytzhan Amirkhanuly. To leave the cassation appeals of lawyers Sekerov, Temirzhanov, and defender Kuldeeva unsatisfied," announced Judge Yerlik Seralin.

Background Information

Bakhytzhan Baizhanov is a relative of former Minister of Economy, Kuandyk Bishimbayev. He was convicted of concealing a crime in the case of Saltanat Nukenova's murder. On May 13, 2024, the Specialized Interdistrict Court for Criminal Cases of Astana found Baizhanov guilty and sentenced him to 4 years in prison.

Previously, the prosecutor had dropped a different charge against Baizhanov under Article 434 of the Criminal Code, "Failure to report a known crime."

A key aspect of Baizhanov's case involved CCTV footage. Baizhanov admitted in court to ordering the deletion of recordings but maintained he was unaware of a serious crime being committed. This formed the basis of his defense.

Following the initial verdict, Baizhanov's lawyers filed an appeal, seeking acquittal due to the alleged absence of criminal elements. The case reached the Astana Court of Appeal on June 10, 2024, with a hearing scheduled for June 26.

On June 26, the Judicial Board for Criminal Cases of the Astana Court upheld the verdicts concerning both Kuandyk Bishimbayev and Bakhytzhan Baizhanov. The ruling became legally binding upon its announcement.

Later, Baizhanov applied for amnesty. In August 2025, it was reported that one-third of his remaining sentence was reduced under the law on amnesty, coinciding with the 30th anniversary of the Constitution. His final sentence was set at 1 year, 4 months, and 17 days. Baizhanov was detained on November 12, 2023, and his time in pre-trial detention is counted as double in a penal colony. He is serving his sentence at a medium-security facility in Stepnogorsk and is expected to be released around December 2026 after the recalculation of his terms.