Man Stands Trial in Double Homicide of Elderly Couple in Aqtobe Region

A 38-year-old resident of Zhanaozen, Sarsenbek Basanov, has gone on trial in the Aqtobe Region for killing two elderly individuals — the mother and stepfather of partner partner — as well as for unlawfully confining and assaulting the woman, Orda.kz reports.

According to the prosecution, Basanov, who is originally from Zhanaozen, has no prior convictions and is divorced. He met 40-year-old Mira Kaztuganova on Instagram in July 2024. Their relationship progressed quickly, and the couple soon began living together.

Mira lived in a private house with her mother, 67-year-old Zina Shaimagambetova, her 16-year-old son, and her stepfather, 74-year-old Baigali Aliyev.

In October 2024, Basanov began to feel jealous of his partner's past relationship, which led to a quarrel. It ended with the man beating her. Despite the feeling of jealousy and disagreement, in November 2024, when Basanov met with Mira Kaztuganova's mother, Zina Shaimagambetova, he said that he would like to live in a marriage with her daughter. He asked for her consent to this, to which the woman replied that they needed to resolve this issue themselves,
Prosecutor Yeldar Abiyev read the indictment. 

Prosecutors say that Mira declined the marriage proposal, which allegedly triggered an aggressive episode in Basanov. On January 13, 2025, he arrived at the family's home carrying a backpack with a knife and duct tape. He entered the property and hid in the summer kitchen.

Shaimagambetova was the first to encounter him. Upon entering the kitchen and seeing Basanov, she screamed and called for help. She was fatally stabbed several times in her vital organs. To conceal the crime, Basanov reportedly put her body in the basement.

Shortly after, Kaztuganova entered the kitchen looking for her mother. Basanov allegedly bound her with tape, covered her mouth, and held her by force. Later, Baigali Aliyev came into the house. Prosecutors say Basanov began beating him with his hands before grabbing an axe and striking him multiple times in the head. Aliyev, unconscious, was also brought to the cellar.

Concerned relatives began searching for the two elderly individuals after they stopped answering their phones. The first to arrive at the scene were Kaztuganova’s teenage son, Aliyev’s daughter, and Shaimagambetova’s older sister. The boy found his mother tied up in the kitchen with Basanov holding a knife, and ran outside to call the police.

Shaimagambetova passed away en route to the hospital due to severe blood loss. Aliyev later succumbed to his injuries at the hospital.

After lengthy negotiations with law enforcement officials, Kaztuganov was released and Basanov was arrested. Basanov Sarsenbek Sagindikovich is accused of committing criminal offenses: 'Homicide of two or more persons with particular cruelty,' 'Unlawful deprivation of liberty with the use of violence dangerous to life or health,' and 'Intentional infliction of moderate bodily harm,'
stated the state prosecutor. 

For these crimes, Basanov faces up to 20 years in prison or life imprisonment.

Aliyev, a retired police officer in the city of Kandyagash, and Shaimagambetova, a former doctor, had been married for seven years. Their family is demanding the most severe punishment.

We would demand the death penalty for what he did to our parents. He did this to elderly, defenseless, vulnerable people. Unfortunately, there is no death penalty, there is only life imprisonment, we demand life imprisonment. We know, of course, that they use drugs, used drugs, were treated, we all know this. Perhaps, I do not know, there is an examination for this. Were they in such a state at the time or not. Or did he do all this in a completely sane state. I would also like to hear the reason. Allegedly against the background of jealousy. If it was jealousy, he should probably have started with the person he is jealous of. And not with the parents,
 said Anar Tazhmukhanova, daughter of the victims, through tears.

Her sister, Eleonora Alieva, echoed the sentiment:

They did not deserve such a death. We want life imprisonment because such people have no right to live. My father worked in the police for many years. He gave us a good, decent upbringing. There are four of us girls. We saved him from cancer twice. We took him to Türkiye for treatment, and this 'jalmauyz' (monster – editor’s note) took his life. Zina apa was a good, open person,
she said. 

The trial is ongoing. Orda.kz will continue to monitor the proceedings.

Original Author: Elmira Erzhanova