Teenager's Death in Atyrau: Mother Shares Details

Anargul Kasantayeva, an Atyrau resident, has long been demanding punishment for those allegedly responsible for her son's death. Kasantayeva claims that the investigation is progressing slowly, an Orda.kz correspondent reports.

The incident occurred on August 21 in the village of Aqjar, near Atyrau. Eyewitnesses claim a senior student pushed 13-year-old Merlan into a river, knowing that he could not swim and had vision problems.

I tried to find out everything from those young boys myself. When I asked, they first said that Moni drowned, then they started to get confused in their statements and said that they just went home. I found my son's clothes on the bank of the Ural River. The twin brother of one of my friends said that a teenager named Zhanuzak pushed him into the water. My son called for help, but no one tried to save him, Anargul Kasantayeva shares.

She says investigators have changed several times during the investigation. And in her opinion, these changes hinder objectivity.

The woman's lawyer points out that the incident could have been the result of deliberate, cruel behavior.

The one who pushed the boy knew that he could drown but did it anyway. So, in my opinion, his actions fall under Article 99 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan as homicide with indirect intent. The Prosecutor's Office and investigative bodies ignore this point. Witnesses claim that Merlan was pushed into the water from the shore, there are children who say so, comments lawyer Maksat Tolenbayev.

The lawyer also does not believe it was an accident. Tolenbayev sees bullying as a potential cause, calls for a complete and thorough investigation, and urges to question teachers and senior students.

Meanwhile, the police and the prosecutor's office see the incident as causing death by negligence (manslaughter).

It is unknown whether there are any suspects.

An investigation is underway into the death of the minor under Article 104 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan. A forensic medical examination has been ordered. Other information in the interests of the investigation is not subject to disclosure, The Atyrau Region Police Department commented.

Merlan was the youngest child in the family with two older sisters. He dreamed of working in law enforcement since childhood. His mother fears that those responsible may escape punishment.

Original Author: Daniel Arturov