Sherzat Polat: Trial Continues in Taldykorgan

On April 18, 2025, the court heard testimony from Sherzat Polat's family, Orda.kz reports.

The first to speak was Sherzat’s grandmother, Zhumabike Kadyrova. The other day, she had become unwell.

Let The Court Decide

With tears in her eyes, Sherzat’s grandmother described receiving a call the night of the incident, saying her grandson had allegedly struck someone. 

According to her, she rushed to the scene without hesitation:

I came home from work at about 11:00 p.m. At that time, Karzhaubay called me and said that Sherzat had beaten someone up. He asked me to wake up Nurkanat. I went there by taxi. I didn't even look for Karzhaubay or Nurkanat, I immediately rushed to look for Sherzat. When I tried to intervene, some young man pushed me hard. Later, I learned from Nurkanat that it was Abzal. It is unbearable to look at those who killed my grandson and their defenders, she said.

According to her, at least 15 people arrived in three vehicles:

When I looked around, I saw that everyone had been attacking my grandson. There was not a single one who had not hit Sherzat. I ran out of the house, thinking that he had hit someone, I wanted to ask for forgiveness for him. And they arrived there in three cars.

The prosecutor asked what Sherzat’s mother had been doing at the time. 

She tried to intervene for Sherzat, but two young men held her by the arms and wouldn't let her near. I can't say exactly how many there were, but there were three cars. Before they left, they said, 'We killed Sherzat and Nurkanat.' They had knives and other weapons in their hands. When I looked at Karzhaubay, I saw two guys hitting him in the face. Having done their deed, they hopped into their car and drove away, she answered.

Zhumabike Kadyrova said both Sherzat and Nurkanat were already unconscious. She also stated that two young women accompanying the attackers approached her:

The two young women during the fight told me: 'Call an ambulance.' And when it was all over, the same young men grabbed them by the arms and dragged them back into the car. 

She said no one tried to call for an ambulance.

Zhumabike Kadyrova also expressed frustration:

These defendants had previous convictions, but they did not receive the punishment they deserved. If they had been sentenced to at least five years, they would not have been walking the streets and harming people now.

When asked by a defense lawyer if she could identify any of the accused, her response caused tension in the room:

At that point, Sherzat’s father, Karzhaubay Nurymov, asked the court to stop questioning his mother due to her emotional distress.

When Sherzat died, it was as if I died with him. We were inseparable. Sherzat was my life. I believe that everyone will answer to God. And what is true and what is a lie - let the court decide, she said.

Shortly after giving her testimony, Kadyrova became unwell. She collapsed in the hallway and was carried to an ambulance.

Nobody Came

The next witness was Sherzat’s mother, Gulbara Bishimbiyeva. She confirmed that Nurymov had called her that night, saying, “Sherzat hit someone,” and telling her not to worry. 

When we arrived, I saw a crowd assaulting my son. I tried to approach him, but someone grabbed my hand. Sherzat only managed to say: 'Mom, they got me with something,'Bishimbiyeva said. 

She said they continued to assault Sherzat despite his severe injuries. Nurkanat tried to intervene and was also attacked. 

She recalled seeing knives and hearing two gunshots.

According to her, Karzhaubay attempted to call for emergency help:

Nurkanat tried to protect Sherzat after he was wounded. The group led by Abzal continued to assault him. I saw that the defendants had a knife, but I did not see a weapon (likely refering to a fire arm - Ed.) - I only heard shots twice. Abzal and Nurkiyas threatened to kill me too. Karzhaubay called an ambulance and the police, but no one responded. Then he himself put Nurkanat and Sherzat in the car and drove them to the hospital.

She also recalled that the young women with the attackers threw stones at her:

I told them: 'You are mothers too, call an ambulance.' But they did nothing.

Karzhaubay Nurymov also testified.

As Vlast.kz reports, Nurymov claims that around 9 or 10 p.m., Darkhan Askentay came into his shop smelling of alcohol. He bought beer and paid. Shortly after, Sherzat Polat also came in, having forgotten his phone charger at the store.

Askentay came back in to charge his phone and began speaking loudly. Hearing this, Polat stepped outside after him and struck him.

Later, Nurymov said he apologized, offered Askentay medical help and compensation, but received such a rejection:

After that, Nurymov called his brother, Nurkanat Gaipbayev, and asked him to come. Soon after, Nurbol Toktaubayev appeared. He asked who had hit Askentay.

When the young men arrived at the store, Nurymov called 102 twice, then 103 - no one answered, writes Vlast.kz. After that, he called the head of the Talgar district ambulance service.

Nurymov said he took a knife for self-defense.

I took a knife with me for self-defense when I found out they were from Khutor, because when people in Azat village hear 'Khutor', they get scared. <...> When Nurkanat stepped in to protect me, they all attacked him. According to their ideas, the younger ones had dared to be rude to the elders, and it seems that hurt their honor.

Nurymov also spoke about his response to who had struck Askentay, taking the blame to protect Sherzat.

To this, Toktaubayev reportedly said:

Nurymov also spoke about his attempt to bring Sherzat to a hospital:

He said to me with difficulty: 'Dad, they got me with something, it hurts…' We stopped on the way and tried to resuscitate him, but he was dying before my eyes. He passed away on the way to the hospital.

When we arrived, the emergency doctors came out and apologized, saying he could not be saved.

I was in shock, I got angry and drove to Khutor. When Nurbol saw me, he ran away. The police arrived later, the father said, barely holding back tears. 

Back in October, residents of Talgar and several nearby villages claimed that the "Khutor gang" was behind the fire at Sherzat’s family home.

However, the police have denied the existence of such a gang altogether.

A Warning

During Bishimbiyeva’s testimony, Karzhaubay Nurymov again disrupted the courtroom, attempting to interject.

Judge Yerzhan Zhanuzakov warned the affected party's legal representative, noting that repeated interruptions could result in consequences.

There are nine defendants in the case. As previously reported, some have priors. 

Orda.kz will continue following the case.

Original Authors: Perizat Zharylkasyn, Sandugash Duysenova