Sherzat Polat Trial: New Testimonies, Background Revealed

The Taldykorgan court continues to examine the events surrounding the death of 16-year-old Sherzat Polat. Orda.kz has compiled key details from the latest hearing.

The questioning of the defendants continued. At the latest session, Nurkiyas Ilyasov took the stand.

He claimed that on the night of the incident, he saw Nurganat Gaipbayev, Sherzat’s uncle, loading a firearm and threatening others involved in the conflict. Ilyasov admitted that he struck Gaipbayev with the butt of the weapon after taking it from him, saying Gaipbayev was preparing to fire at the group.

When the guys and I were standing near the store, someone called. I heard someone being hit — I think it was Nurbol Toktaubayev. I don't know Darkhan Askentay. When I approached the store to find out what the fight was about, Sherzat hit me. Then Karzhaubay pulled out a knife. A scuffle began, we heard a shot. Gaipbayev Nurganat had a gun, he was shouting: 'I'll shoot! I'll kill!' Then I snatched the gun from his hands and hit him with the butt. Because he fired the first shot into the air, the second — in our direction, and loaded the third cartridge right before my eyes,
Ilyasov said in court. 

During cross-examination, the lawyer for the victim’s family asked Ilyasov to explain a photo posted on his social media showing a Kalashnikov rifle and the caption “Khutor.”

Ilyasov declined to respond.

Four Priors

Another defendant, Azamat Toktaubayev, was also questioned. At the time of the incident, he was under house arrest. The court learned that Toktaubaev had four prior convictions, the most recent resulting in a seven-year sentence for intentionally causing bodily harm.

At the time, I had to leave the house to go to the pharmacy for health reasons,
Toktaubayev told the court. 

The events in question began on October 4 near the Kamazhay store in Talgar, where a fight broke out. Sherzat Polat was killed during the altercation.

On October 12, the Polat family home in the village of Azat was destroyed by fire. On December 9, the body of Nurganat Gaipbayev was found; he is believed to have committed suicide. 

Original Author: Perizat Zharylkasyn

Read also: 

• Sherzat Polat: Main Trial Begins in Taldykorgan
• Sherzat Polat: Trial Continues in Taldykorgan (report from 18 April) 
• Sherzat Polat: Trial Continues in Taldykorgan (report from 28 April)
• Sherzat Polat: Trial Continues, New Details Emerge (report from 29 April)
• Testimony and Footage Presented in Ongoing Sherzat Polat Homicide Trial (report from 15 May)