Interior Minister Comments on Origin of Weapon in Berdenov Attack

Journalists asked Kazakhstan’s Interior Minister Yerzhan Sadenov where the attacker obtained his weapon, Orda.kz reports.

According to media reports, the gunman used a decommissioned firearm sold by a police officer.

Yes, unfortunately, such moments were present. It was not that someone sold, but the employees' negligent attitude. A criminal case has been opened, and as part of the investigation we will find out all these things, and answer all the questions about whose fault it is, Sadenov said on the sidelines of the Majilis.

On 21 April 2025, outside the Shymkent akimat building, 31-year-old Yernar Zhiembay shot Ruslan Berdenov three times with a hunting rifle. Berdenov survived his injuries. 

The attacker was stopped when Berdenov’s driver rammed him with a car before police intervened.

On 20 August, Zhiembay was found guilty and sentenced to nine years in a medium-security prison. On 29 August, Berdenov resigned as deputy akim of Shymkent.

Original Author: Ilya Astakhov