Sherzat Polat’s Homicide Case: New Defense Team Steps In

The case concerning the killing of 16-year-old Sherzat Polat in Talgar is ready to go to trial and may begin in the coming days.

Meanwhile, Sherzat’s father, Karzhaubay Nurymov, has cut ties with his previous legal team. While the family had initially announced a split only with Aitbek Amangeldy, they have now replaced all their representatives. 

An Orda.kz journalist has spoken with the new defense.

The case, which sparked public outcry last year, was officially registered with the Specialized Interdistrict Criminal Court of Almaty Region on March 26. The homicide occurred in October.

Earlier, attorneys Aitbek Amangeldy and Saida Taueleeva stated on social media: “Karzhaubay Nurymov dismissed our defense.” However, when asked by our reporter, Sherzat’s father replied briefly: “I didn’t say anything specific.”

His sister, Perizat, provided further context:

We do not want to work with lawyers in general, but only with Aitbek Amangeldy, because he was rude to our mother.

It is now known that Nurymov has officially revoked the power of attorney from all previous lawyers.

New Legal Team

A group of six attorneys, led by Meirman Shekeyev, is now representing Sherzat’s family:

• Meirman Shekeyev
  
• Zhandos Palmanov
  
• Alim Mustafayev
  
• Dina Dosayeva
  
• Nurbolat Ibrayev
  
• Bagdat Amandosuly 

Shekeyev and Amandosuly are known for appearing on high-profile legal talk shows “Koremiz” and “Aytuga Onay.”

In 2023, Meirman Shekeyev defended the Kazakhstan citizens who had illegally crossed into South Korea. The Incheon City Court imposed a fine of 3 million won (around 1 million tenge). A harsher sentence could have meant three years of imprisonment.

Shekeyev also previously represented Bakhyt Reimova, Sherzat’s aunt, when she was sentenced to 15 days in administrative detention.

Are They Ready?

Speaking to Orda.kz, Meirman Shekeyev stated he had thoroughly reviewed the written case files and was in the process of reviewing video materials.

Overall, we are fully prepared for the trial,
the lawyer assured. 

He mentioned discrepancies in reports about the number of suspects. According to the documents, there are nine suspects, including one minor. Two face homicide charges.

Initially, 11 people were detained, including two young women. They were later reclassified as witnesses.

More Details

Shekeyev said he could not disclose the judge's identity to the press. He also discussed whether the hearings would be open. While Karzhaubay Nurymov hopes for a public trial, this depends on the accused:

As far as I know, the suspects have not agreed to an open hearing. The rights of the accused party in this matter are always taken into account. I assume that they want the trial to be held behind closed doors.

The shift in representation drew public attention after Amangeldy announced on Instagram that Nurymov had dropped his legal team. Speculation about disagreements between the current and former lawyers began to circulate.

I tried to contact the previous lawyers several times to get the case materials, but they did not want to make contact. In the end, we requested the case through the Almaty Region Prosecutor’s Office,
the lawyer said. 

He explained that initially he had advised Karzhaubay and his wife, Gulbara, not to abandon the prior team completely:

Because they participated in all the investigative processes and spent six months on the case. However, later Karzhaubay himself came and said that he had completely revoked the power of attorney from the previous lawyers and would hand the case over to me. We appreciate the work of the previous lawyers. This is Karzhaubay’s desire and right.

Shekeyev also spoke about taking on the case free of charge:

I do not take any money for this case. Likewise, the five lawyers working with me do it entirely free of charge.

Following the funeral of Karzhaubay’s younger brother, Nurkanat Gaiypbayev, both Karzhaubay and his sister, Bakhyt Reimova, were detained for 15 days. Karzhaubay was charged with petty hooliganism and resisting police, while Reimova was accused of calling for a rally.

These cases are being considered separately. The Karzhaubay case is under the jurisdiction of Antikor (Kazakhstan's anticorruption service - Ed.),Shekeyev noted. 

According to him, forensic examinations have now been appointed. 

If necessary, we will intervene in this case as well. The allegations spread on social media about an improper investigation are untrue. As the investigation showed, the suspects were detained within two hours of the crime. And Karzhaubay went out to the square, not knowing that the detentions had already taken place that day,the lawyer added.  

Orda.kz will continue to follow the trial closely.

Original Author: Perizat Zharylkasyn