Prosecutor Requests 13 Years for Dosov in Conscript Homicide Case

The Astana Military Specialized Inter-District Criminal Court began closing arguments in the homicide case of conscript Marat Barkulov. The state prosecutor has requested sentencing for Damir Dosov.

Find Dosov guilty of criminal offense under Article 99, Part 1 of the Criminal Code ('Homicide'). Assign punishment - 13 years imprisonment in medium-security facility, stated prosecutor Amangul Zhumagaliyeva.

The prosecution considers the defendant's claims about not knowing the pistol was loaded as groundless for several reasons:

First, Damir Dosov is a career officer who completed relevant training and passed exams in various weapons.

Second, witnesses testified in court that the lieutenant received instruction when issued the pistol. The senior officer specifically directed him "not to play with the pistol or point it at people."

The affected party's representative, Azamat Sagal, agreed with the prosecutor's requested sentence.

Commanders at Fault

Defense attorney Tatyana Yaremchuk argued Damir Dosov "knew with certainty" that the pistol was unloaded.

She claimed the shooting was accidental, and witnesses confirming the lieutenant's threats may have given false testimony under pressure.

Witnesses are giving false testimony under orders to help Bagdat Mayiliev (chief of staff who issued the pistol to Dosov) evade punishment for improper weapons issuance, Yaremchuk stated.

The defense argued partial responsibility lies with Chief of Staff Bagdat Mayiliev, who allegedly failed to show Dosov the pistol contained live rounds and conducted improper instruction.

They questioned Dosov's signature in the weapons log, noting its authenticity wasn't verified.

Damir Dosov's actions were an unconscious violation of weapons handling rules, showing off and seeking thrills. This resulted in an unintentional shot causing accidental death,  Yaremchuk added.

The defense has sought to reclassify the case from Article 99 (homicide) to Article 462 Part 2 (negligent weapons handling causing death), which carries up to five years imprisonment.

Marat Barkulov was on September 7, 2024, during a training session with units of the regional command "West."

This happened at the Oimasha training ground in the Mangystau region.

Witnesses in court also shared how the lieutenant threatened them with a pistol and used obscene language.

Damir Dosov, meanwhile, pleaded not guilty.

Original Author: Anastasia Prilepskaya