(23 January 2026 | Source: Instagram page of Aidar Makhmetov)
A public conflict between the heads of the sports department of the Karaganda region has received official comments from the sporting community. The Astana Judo Federation insists on the absence of physical violence, however the police have confirmed the start of a pre-trial investigation. The situation remains ambiguous following the publication of a video recording of the incident.
HOW THE CONFLICT DEVELOPED
Earlier, a video showing a fragment of a conflict between Serik Sapiyev and Daulet Yesimkhanov in an office appeared online. The recording was published against the backdrop of a police investigation that had already been launched.
POSITION OF THE JUDO FEDERATION
The President of the Astana Judo Federation, Aidar Makhmetov, reported on his Instagram page that he had personally contacted Serik Sapiyev. According to him, the conflict arose solely over work-related matters — due to a refusal to provide the necessary documents.
Makhmetov also stated that the information about a physical conflict does not correspond to reality, and stressed that the parties had reached a mutual understanding, and the situation, in his words, had been resolved.
WHAT THE POLICE SAY
Earlier, the police department of the Karaganda region confirmed the fact that a criminal case had been opened under the article "Assault". It was reported that the investigation was launched following a statement from a 42-year-old resident of Karaganda. The department noted that all circumstances of the incident are currently being established, and other information is not subject to disclosure in the interests of the investigation.
RESPONSE OF THE DEPARTMENT
The Department of Physical Culture and Sports of the Karaganda region reported that the incident is not being commented on as part of the investigation. They also denied information about the hospitalisation of any of the management, stating that both officials were at their workplaces on the day of the incident.