Victim in Khasan Kasymbayev Case Makes Surprising Statement in Court

The trial of Khasan Kasymbayev and his associates continues in Talgar. 

On September 24, the victim, A.Tazhiyev, surprised the court with his statement: “I have no complaints against Khasan.” Yet it was his earlier testimony that formed the basis for the criminal case. Orda.kz reports details from the courtroom.

Kasymbayev was accused of beating mixed martial arts coach Arman Alimov and extorting money. The case is extensive — 36 volumes in total.

Five other people are being tried alongside him.

The court is formally open, but journalists are not allowed inside. The final hearing began late, and the defendants complained of feeling unwell.

During the trial, Tazhiyev refused to testify in the presence of the defendants, prompting the judge to remove them from the courtroom. The defense called this a violation of the defendants’ rights.

What Did the Victim Say?

Tazhiyev testified in court that he met Khasan in 2016.

A certain Darkhan invited me to a meeting. I couldn’t make it that day, so we agreed on the following day. He arrived by car and said we needed to go to Talgar, and he took me to the mountains. Darkhan and I are from the same town. I sell shoes. After several surgeries, I don’t remember much. Khasan also happened to be in the mountains. I saw him there for the first time, the victim explained.

According to him, a man named China was with Khasan. They first talked in the mountains and then went to a café. When questioned by the defense and the court, Tazhiyev often replied, “I don’t remember, I don’t know.”

The defense attorney argued that the victim’s testimony was contradictory and illogical:

He himself said he had no complaints against Khasan. He demanded something from Darkhan, because Darkhan was the one who brought him to the mountains in 2016. He also claims that Khasan only hit him once. He did not confirm any extortion. As for the criminal case, it contains 36 volumes, but Tazhiyev cannot say whether he has read them. By law, the victim must be given all the materials to review after the investigation is completed. Now he only replies, ‘I don’t remember.’

At the hearing, Alimov’s mother was also questioned. She complained that the Talgar police prevented her from reviewing the case.

Kasymbayev’s name became widely known after the death of Sherzat Polat in October 2024.

Following that incident, his brother Aslan lost his position in the Akimat. Another brother, Yerzhan, was previously implicated in the killing of a customs officer.

Original Author: Assem Zhauken