The trial into the murder of a family in the Atyrau region continues to reveal new details of one of the most high-profile crimes in recent years. During the second hearing, the defendant, Sultan Sarsemaliyev, partially admitted his guilt, explained his motives, and claimed that one of the killings was unintentional. Meanwhile, the prosecution insists that the crimes were premeditated, resulting in the deaths of four relatives of his ex-wife.

The specialized inter-district criminal court in the Atyrau region held its second hearing into the high-profile murder case of a family in the village of Zhangeldin.
In the defendant's seat is Sultan Sarsemaliyev, accused of murdering four relatives of his ex-wife. In addition to the killings, the prosecution charges the defendant with stealing the victims' property and selling the family's livestock. These circumstances led to additional charges of theft and fraud.

The trial is being held openly under the chairmanship of Judge Zarema Khamidullina. During the hearing, new details of the case were revealed, along with forensic medical examination results and the defendant's position regarding specific charges.

During questioning, the defendant partially admitted his guilt. He stated that he disagrees with the classification of the murder of Nauryz Mukangaliyev as an intentional crime. According to his version, the death occurred accidentally, and he was acting in self-defense.

However, regarding the remaining charges, the defendant acknowledged the intentional nature of his actions.

According to the prosecution's findings presented in court, Maksot Karabalin sustained 9 stab wounds, Nasip Uteshkalieva – 8, Meiramgul Karabalin – 32 stab wounds, and Nauryz Mukangaliyev received 10 stab wounds.

The investigation also reported that a kitchen knife was used to commit the crimes. According to the prosecution, the parents and sister of the defendant's ex-wife were killed with the same weapon.

In addition to the murder charges, Sultan Sarsemaliyev admitted guilt on charges of theft, fraud, and unlawful seizure of documents. According to the defendant, after the crime, he used the deceased's bank card and continued using Nauryz Mukangaliyev's phone to cover his tracks and create the illusion that he was still alive.

During the proceedings, the state prosecutor also presented additional circumstances related to the family situation of the defendant and his ex-wife, Akbayan Mukangaliyeva. The prosecutor reported that in the summer of 2024, the woman underwent major surgery, after which she remained in a coma for about 20 days. At that time, she was pregnant with her fifth child. After her discharge, her health continued to deteriorate, which, according to the prosecution, intensified conflicts between the families.

According to the prosecutor, Sultan Sarsemaliyev subsequently planned to travel to Turkey with his wife and her brother, Nauryz Mukangaliyev, for medical treatment.

During the hearing, it was also revealed that the defendant is represented by two lawyers, one of whom is a private attorney. However, only one lawyer was present at the trial. Judge Zarema Khamidullina clarified that the absence of the second lawyer does not prevent the trial from proceeding.

It should be noted that the first hearing in the case took place on May 18 in Atyrau. During the reading of the indictment, the prosecutor stated that the investigation had established the sequence of the crimes. According to the prosecution, Nauryz Mukangaliyev was killed first in Atyrau, after which his body was buried in the courtyard of a house. Then, in the village of Zhangeldin, the parents of the defendant's ex-wife – Maksot Karabalin and Nasip Uteshkalieva – were killed, and their bodies were hidden beneath the floor of a barn. Later, the family's youngest daughter, Meiramgul Karabalin, was killed.

During the first hearing, Sultan Sarsemaliyev himself explained his motives. The defendant stated that, in his opinion, the cause of the conflict was the interference of his wife's relatives in their family life.

"My wife's family interfered in our family and pushed for our divorce. But we still didn't want to separate and lived together. However, my wife's relatives did not stop interfering. They wanted to take away my wife and my five children. And that drove me to commit this crime," the defendant told the court.

According to him, he made attempts to save the family, but the conflict between the relatives continued to intensify.

"All their words and actions led me to go mad and commit such a crime, losing my humanity," the defendant told the court.

Sultan Sarsemaliyev also noted that he perceived the words of the deceased as an insult to his honor and dignity.

"I admit my guilt and would even accept a life sentence," he said during the first hearing.

The investigation also established that the defendant's ex-wife and the daughter of the deceased, Akbayan Mukangaliyeva, was not involved in the commission of the crimes.

By Linara SAKTAGANOVA,

Astana