Former Economy Minister of Kazakhstan Kuandik Bishimbayev was sentenced to 24 years in prison

The court of Astana sentenced Kuandik Bishimbayev, the former economy minister of Kazakhstan, to 24 years in prison. He was accused of brutally killing his wife Saltanat Nukenova and was arrested.

Bishimbayev's cousin Bakhitzhan Baijanov, accused of concealing the crime, was sentenced to 4 years in prison.

In his last words, Bishimbaev said that he was guilty, but he did not commit the crime intentionally.

"That night I never dreamed of my wife's death, I am guilty, but I did not commit murder," he said.

On the evening of November 8, 2023, Bishimbayev had a quarrel with his wife at the "Bau" restaurant. The man first hit Saltanat Nukenova in the toilet, and then when she was leaving the elevator. After that, according to the former minister, her husband fell asleep on the sofa in the VIP cabin of the restaurant.

Bishimbayev covered him with his jacket and slept next to him. The next day, Bishimbaev left his wife in bed and left the restaurant on business. He called an ambulance on the evening of November 9 when he noticed that Nukenova's face and body were cold. Doctors found out that the woman died a day ago.