Mother Challenges Suicide Ruling in Soldier’s Death Case Reopened

Two years ago, 21-year-old Kaisar Sultanov died while serving in the National Guard. According to investigators, he shot himself in the head twice with an automatic rifle. His mother refuses to believe it was suicide, and lawyers share her doubts, Orda.kz reports.

The case was closed three times. Investigators concluded that the young man had taken his own life. Kaisar allegedly fired once into his head and, six minutes later, shot again. This, says his mother, Saule Tileubergenova, is impossible.

Over the past two years, she and her lawyer, Inga Imanbay, have gathered new evidence and submitted the materials to the prosecutor’s office. The case has now been reopened, and a new investigation is underway.

Tileubergenova said she saw her son alive a day before the tragedy.

I then specifically examined his body. There were no bruises or abrasions. And the very next day, I was informed of his death. He served in the weapons department. And I think perhaps he witnessed something illegal. I think he was 'removed' as a witness,
 she believes.

The mother began her own investigation, tracking down her son’s fellow soldiers. She traveled to Kokshetau, Shymkent, Balkhash, and Taraz.

One serviceman told her that another person had been in the building with Kaisar on the day of the incident.

When the shot was heard, duty officer Osanov radioed only one of them. Why was he only interested in the condition of one soldier if there were two? Why was everyone escorted out of the building except my son? Did they really know in advance that he would die?
 says the mother .

It's physically impossible to shoot yourself in the head twice. Six minutes passed between the first and second shots. After the first hit, his brain was partially destroyed. How could he get up and shoot again? It's outright murder, not suicide,
 the lawyer argues.

She noted that only one similar case had ever been recorded in Kazakhstan — the death of Zamanbek Nurkadilov, an oppositionist during Nazarbayev's presidency.

According to Imanbay, the investigation was riddled with serious procedural violations.

There were numerous errors made during the investigation of this case. Therefore, we demand the creation of a special investigative team. The videos related to the case are incomplete. Some of them were deleted. Fingerprints were not collected from the crime scene. Who erased the CCTV footage? Who wiped Kaisar's blood from the window? Why weren't fingerprints recovered from the gun trigger and the window? And most importantly, who covered up the crime? These questions need answers.

There are many like me in Kazakhstan. Soldiers are dying. They're blaming it on suicide or illness. No one's answering. But I won't give up until I know the truth.

Lawyer Inmanbay is now demanding that the case be investigated under Article 99 of the Criminal Code (“Homicide”).

Growing Concern

Reports of deaths among military personnel have risen again in recent months. The issue was recently raised in the Majilis. Deputy Natalia Dementyeva warned that such cases erode public trust not only in the Armed Forces but also in state institutions.

Deputy Defense Minister Shaikh-Khasan Zhazykbayev tried to justify his ministry’s handling of the situation before parliamentarians, but his explanations were met with skepticism. Majilis member Daniya Yespayeva also voiced frustration with the defense ministry’s performance, joining calls for greater accountability.

Original Author: Perizat Zharylkasyn