Yana Legkodimova: Prosecutors Toughen Charges in Homicide Case

The high-profile homicide trial of Yana Legkodimova, whose remains were found on the banks of the Ural River, continues in Atyrau, Orda.kz reports.

Investigators discovered a top belonging to the victim near the site where her remains were recovered.

An inspection of Rizuan Khairzhanov’s car produced no evidence — investigators believe it had been washed the next morning. The second defendant, Altynbek Katimov, reportedly returned to his home village after the crime.

According to the victim’s mother, Yana’s neck and wrists were broken before her death, though this could not be verified since only skeletal remains were found.

Previously, Khairzhanov had been charged under paragraph 7 of Part 2 of Article 99 (“homicide committed by a group of persons by prior conspiracy”) and paragraph 1 of Part 2 of Article 188 (“theft”), both classified as medium-gravity offenses.

Katimov faced similar charges under paragraphs 7 and 8 of Part 2 of Article 99 and Article 188.

They now face upgraded charges: under paragraphs 7 and 8 of Part 2 of Article 99 (“homicide committed by a group of persons by prior conspiracy and for hire”) and paragraph 6 of Part 2 of Article 202 (“intentional destruction of another’s property committed by a group of persons by prior conspiracy”).

The new charges categorize their alleged crimes as serious and especially severe offenses.

According to the updated indictment, on the day of the crime, Khairzhanov brought Yana to his apartment, where he and Katimov threatened her, demanding she remain silent about Khairzhanov’s relationship.

Though she agreed and left, they are believed to have killed her shortly afterward.

The trial is being held at the Specialized Interdistrict Criminal Court of the Atyrau Region.

Original Author: Daniel Arturov