Sherzat Polat: Main Trial Begins in Taldykorgan

The main trial in the case of Sherzat Polat’s killing has begun in Taldykorgan, Orda.kz reports.

As an Orda.kz correspondent reports from the courtroom, lawyers representing both the defendants and the affected party have petitioned to transfer the trial to the Qaray District Court of the Almaty Region, citing difficulties in reaching Taldykorgan. 

The motion was denied, according to Azattyq.

Delayed

The hearing started with a delay, as defense attorney Kaliyeva arrived 40 minutes late. Presiding Judge Yerzhan Zhanuzakov issued her a warning and asked all trial participants to refrain from making statements to the media until the end of the proceedings.

Nine defendants are in the case; some have priors.

One of the main defendants, Abzal Shynasyl, who is being charged with homicide and hooliganism, told the court that he "does not fully admit guilt" and is "only partially prepared for the trial."

None of the nine defendants fully admitted guilt; five of them partially acknowledged it. 

Shyngys Belgozhaev and Nurbol Toktaubayev stated that they admit to the charge of hooliganism but deny the use of weapons, according to Vlast.kz.

Defendant Azamat Toktaubayev, who is also charged with theft, said that he disagrees with the accusation.

Minor defendant Duman Yskakov did not admit guilt in the charge of failure to report a crime.

Defendant Abzal Shynasylov stated that he does not admit to the charge of attempted homicide of Sherzat Polat, but does admit to actions committed against Sherzat's uncle, Nurkanat Gaiypbaev, as well as to hooliganism.

The defendants’ lawyers stated that their clients are prepared to testify only after reviewing the case materials in more detail.

The judge set the order of questioning for the next hearing: first the victims, then the witnesses, followed by the defendants. The next session will take place on April 18.

Details

According to the indictment, the central figures in the incident were Darhan Askentay and Abzal Shynasyl. It began when Askentay arrived at a local shop to buy beer and got into a verbal altercation. When Sherzat saw Askentay insulting his father, he reacted by striking him twice in the face.

Askentay then called his friends. The first to arrive was Toktaubayev, who paid the remaining amount for the beer.

At this point, Sherzat’s father, Karzhaubay Nurymov, became enraged and ran outside with a kitchen knife. More individuals then arrived, and a fight broke out. It was during this altercation that Shynasyl allegedly delivered the fatal stab wound to Sherzat.

After being wounded, Sherzat attempted to flee but collapsed a short distance away.

It has been noted that "everything began with the aggressive actions of Askentay and Shynasyl "was particularly active and brutal."

Immediately following the conflict, Sherzat’s father placed his injured son and Nurkanat Gaiypbayev into a car and rushed them to the hospital in the Talgar District.

According to the forensic medical report, Sherzat’s death was the result of massive blood loss caused by a stab wound. The blow struck the upper part of the left lung, and the wound penetrated the chest cavity,
the prosecutor read aloud in court. 

Medical experts also found "numerous other injuries on the body caused by the butt of a firearm and the handle of a knife."

Doctors pronounced Sherzat dead at 1:30 a.m. on October 4, 2024.

Original Article, Second Post, Third.

The article has been updated as of 18:21, 17/04/2025