Former Kazakh Minister Caught on CCTV Brutally Beating His Wife to Death

The trial of former Kazakhstan minister Kuandyk Bishimbayev, charged with beating his wife Saltanat Nukenova to death, has shocked the nation and sparked a debate about gender equality and domestic violence.

Saltanat, 31, was found dead last November in a restaurant owned by a relative of Bishimbayev, where the couple had spent almost a whole day and night. Surveillance footage shown in court captured Bishimbayev, 44, kicking and punching his wife repeatedly before dragging her by the hair to a separate room where there were no cameras.

Prosecutors revealed that Bishimbayev continued to beat Saltanat even after she tried to escape by hiding in the toilet. The brutal assault led to her losing consciousness, and despite Bishimbayev’s efforts to seek reassurance from a fortune-teller, Saltanat was declared dead at the scene by medical staff.

The coroner’s report indicated that Saltanat died from brain trauma, with multiple bruises found on her body. Bishimbayev now faces charges of torture and murder with extreme violence, which could result in up to 20 years in prison.

The trial, which is being livestreamed on social media, has gripped the public’s attention and raised concerns about the potential for Bishimbayev, a member of the country’s wealthy ruling elite, to evade proper punishment. This fear stems from his previous conviction on bribery charges in 2017, where he was sentenced to 10 years but released after less than three years due to an amnesty and parole.

As the case unfolds, many Kazakhs are closely watching to see if justice will be served in this high-profile and tragic case of domestic violence.