Memorial Plaque Honoring Saltanat Nukenova Unveiled in Qostanay Region

The name of Saltanat Nukenova, who was killed by former Minister of National Economy Kuandyk Bishimbayev, has been immortalized on a memorial plaque at the pantheon of the Amangeldy Tourist Complex in Kazakhstan’s Qostanay region, Orda.kz reports.

Saltanat’s brother, Aitbek Amangeldy, shared photos of the visit on Instagram, showing him and their mother, Zhumagul Nukenova, paying tribute at the memorial.

Located in the Amangeldy district, the complex includes a pantheon honoring prominent figures who contributed to Kazakhstan’s history. A plaque bearing Saltanat’s name was placed among them. Her family had earlier sent topyrak — soil from her burial site — to Amangeldy, now preserved in a capsule within the memorial.

Saltanat Nukenova died on the night of November 9, 2023, in Astana. Her killer was her partner, Kuandyk Bishimbayev, who subjected her to years of abuse before her death.

Her death became a catalyst for sweeping legal reforms. On April 15, 2024, Kazakhstan enacted a law strengthening penalties for domestic violence and criminalizing abuse — informally known as the “Saltanat Law.”

Original Author: Anastasia Prilepskaya