"I Wanted to Scare Him”: More Details on What Shymkent Official’s Attacker Said During August 7 Hearing

The trial over the armed attack on Shymkent Deputy Akim Ruslan Berdenov continued on August 6th, Orda.kz reports.

The accused, Yernar Zhiembay, took the stand to give his version of events — from a liked photo of his wife to professional clashes with the official. 

“I Was Happy about His Appointment”

Zhiembay began his statement by saying he initially welcomed Berdenov’s appointment:

In February, it became known that Ruslan Berdenov had been appointed deputy Akim of Shymkent. I was personally happy. People are paying for his mentorship. I told my team that we would study with him for free. Then time passed. On March 7–8, my wife received a notification on her phone. Ruslan Berdenov had liked her photo and said that she was beautiful. I didn’t see anything wrong with that. I also sometimes like photos on social media, so I had no bad thoughts. Then we had a quarrel. My wife said that she didn’t know Berdenov. The conflict passed, we made up. Life went on.

He stressed that he had no reason to suspect his wife:

I have known Luiza Aldanova, my wife, since school. She is a faithful spouse. I love her very much. She is the mother of my two children. She has never cheated on me. I refute all rumors about her. My wife is well-mannered, from a good family. Our eldest son Aksunkar is a child with autism. Our neighbors also have a child with autism. We took our children to the same center. My wife was in close contact with them. The neighbors knew Berdenov well, he was their relative.

According to him, his wife often mentioned Ruslan Berdenov in conversation as a good person.

A Professional Fallout

Zhiembay says the real conflict came from work. He claimed Berdenov insulted him during their first meeting:

The company where I worked was opened in 2015. At first, I was a specialist, then on July 1, I became a director. I had only one intention - to work for the good of the people. A lot of work was done. Everything was covered on social networks. Perhaps, I also had shortcomings. But before, there were no complaints about me. I was called to see Ruslan Arysbekovich. When I entered the office, I had a strange feeling. He shook my hand strongly. It was clear from the expression on his face that something was wrong. Then he said to me: 'If I don’t call you, you won’t come yourself. Where did you come from, brother?' I was shocked by these words. Why should I hear such words... In response, I told him that I was ready and even glad to come to him every day. But we can’t without permission. Then I began to show him slides about work. He began to find fault: 'What kind of slide is this? How do you even work?' I asked him why he was insulting my honor. Berdenov responded by asking me to write a letter of resignation. I said that I was glad to leave and was ready to move to another job. Ruslan Arysbekuly swore at me. He found fault with every word, he didn’t like my appearance. Although I didn’t say anything bad.

The accused claims that he wanted to meet with the deputy akim again, but was refused. Later, according to him, Berdenov's assistant contacted him.

Later, he heard from the head of the construction department that Berdenov allegedly wanted him jailed if he did not resign.

"If I Wanted To, I Would've"

The day of the shooting, April 21, Zhiembay says he was going hunting to “clear his head” and brought his hunting rifle.

In the evening, my friend and I drank kumys, and in the evening we decided to go hunting. I prepared a hunting rifle that I bought two years ago. It had 32 grams of gunpowder and 12 cartridges. The pellets were intended for hunting birds. I didn’t have the idea to attack Berdenov then. I wanted to stop by work and write a statement. I went to the Akimat. Then I noticed him leaving work. Then I had the idea to scare Berdenov. I thought that I would go to jail for a couple of years. Since he threatened to sue, I thought that it would be better to scare him and go to jail. If I had wanted to kill, I would have killed. But I had no such intention. I fired, he ran. He ran 20-30 meters. Then I fired four more shots. He fell, I got scared and ran after him to see what happened. There was no blood. He was brave, he wasn’t scared. Then I asked him: 'Why did you have to do all of this? You said many words that bismerched my honor... Is it really impossible to talk like human beings? Why ruin someone else's fate? If I wanted to kill you, I would have killed you.' His driver drove up. He braked sharply near me, I fell. We started to fight with him. But I was not going to run away.

He also alleged Berdenov later tried to manipulate him, suggesting he falsely testify that the mayor of Shymkent hired him as a hitman in exchange for leniency:

At that point, the judge interrupted him, saying his statement was going off-topic.

When questioned, the prosecutor asked why he claimed the motive was jealousy:

Zhiembay replied:

Later, witness Aray Kamytbekova described what she saw on the day of the attack:

When the first shots rang out, I called 102. The man, dressed in classic clothes, was not standing still. He was running. Then the driver threw him to the ground. I heard screams: 'That's my wife! I'll kill her!' The police arrived a few minutes later.

Berdenov: “This Is Pressure and Manipulation”

Deputy Akim Ruslan Berdenov issued a statement online. He accused Zhiembay’s team of trying to pressure his lawyers to drop the case, threatening a media scandal and even claiming the defendant’s father might self-immolate.

I only demanded openness and fulfillment of obligations. And attempts to divert public attention to such false motives as jealousy, personal relationships, a spouse are manipulation and a diversion from the truth. I do not know his spouse or his family. For me, he was just a contractor. It is even more outrageous that now the name of the city Akim has begun to be drawn into these false statements. This once again proves that the case is being diverted from the truth in the direction of pressure and discreditation. I categorically refute such statements and do not acknowledge them.

Incidentally, Berdenov is unable to attend court; he is undergoing rehabilitation for the sustained injuries.

What’s Next?

Prosecutors insist the motive was a workplace dispute, not jealousy. Witnesses will continue to testify in the next hearings.

Orda.kz will continue to follow the case.

Original Author: Nazerke Yerkinbekkyzy