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In a surprising turn of events in the Abai region, a man who had already served part of his sentence and was released early has now been handed a new, extended prison term of 10 years. This development has ignited public discussion regarding the fairness and integrity of the judicial process.

The Incident and Initial Sentencing

The case dates back to an altercation at the Bakhty customs post in the Abai region in 2023. Nurzhan Amantayev, 33, and Akzhol Kuanyshbayev were involved in a dispute with officer Dastan Kazturghen. According to the investigation, the officer sustained a blow to the face during the confrontation.

Initially, Nurzhan Amantayev was found guilty under Article 380, Part 4 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan and sentenced to three years imprisonment. However, due to good conduct, he was released early after serving two years and two months.

Sentence Overturned and Extended

The initial court ruling was later reviewed and overturned. The Abai Regional Court re-evaluated the case, imposing a new sentence of 10 years imprisonment on Nurzhan Amantayev. Following this decision, he was taken back into custody.

Father's Plea for Justice

In response to the new sentence, Nurzhan Amantayev's father penned an open letter to the President of Kazakhstan, appealing for a fair review of the case. While acknowledging his son's actions, the father expressed bewilderment at the significantly harsher sentence imposed after his son had already completed a portion of his original term and was released early.

Allegations of Influence

Relatives of the convicted man suspect that the victim's side may have influenced the case's re-examination. They claim that the victim, officer Dastan Kazturghen, has relatives in high-ranking government positions, including within the prosecutor's office and the Ministry of Economy. The presence of a former court chairman among their relatives, they believe, raises doubts about the impartiality of the proceedings.

The family also alleges that after an initial payment of 2 million tenge, demands escalated to 40 million, and then another 17 million tenge. They contend that the drastic increase in the sentence occurred after they were unable to meet these financial demands.

Defense's Perspective

However, the victim's side disputes these claims. The lawyer for officer Dastan Kazturghen argued that the initial sentence was too lenient. The lawyer stated that the assault was organized and resulted in severe injuries to the victim, including a fractured jaw and nose, and a traumatic brain injury. These injuries, the lawyer emphasized, could have long-term health consequences, and they requested a sentence of at least 13 years, along with 13 million tenge in moral and material damages.

The defense team, on the other hand, points to a forensic medical examination that indicated the victim's injuries were not life-threatening. They argue that the appellate court disregarded these findings and are seeking the case to be reviewed under the original Article 380, Part 4 of the Criminal Code, with a three-year sentence.

Next Steps

The final decision in this case will be made by the cassation court. A court session is scheduled to take place in Astana on April 22, 2026.