(27 February 2026 | Source: Press Office of the Atyrau Regional Court)
The Specialised Inter-District Criminal Court of Atyrau Region heard a criminal case against a woman accused of murdering her mother-in-law. The case was brought before the court to decide on the application of compulsory medical measures due to the defendant's insanity.
The court established the fact of the act and recognised that the woman had acted in a state of insanity.
HOW THE FAMILY CONFLICT DEVELOPED
According to court materials, on 10 May 2025, a man moved his elderly mother, born in 1942, who was bedridden, to the village of Zhasqairat for care. His wife objected to this, leading to a family conflict.
On 27 May 2025, taking advantage of her husband's absence, the woman struck her helpless mother-in-law 4–5 times with a kitchen knife to the head. The victim was taken to the district hospital, where she died.
EXPERT EXAMINATION FOUND THE DEFENDANT INSANE
According to a comprehensive forensic psychiatric evaluation, the woman, born in 1986, suffers from a chronic mental disorder — paranoid schizophrenia. Due to her state of health, she is unable to participate in court hearings.
The court noted that the defendant's guilt was confirmed by witness testimony, crime scene inspection reports, video recordings, and expert findings.
POSITION OF THE PARTIES AND COURT DECISION
The prosecutor requested that the woman be assigned compulsory treatment in a specialised psychiatric hospital with intensive observation. The victim's side supported this position.
The court established that the woman committed an act covered by Article 99, Part 2, Clause 3 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan (“Murder”) while in a state of insanity. In accordance with Article 16 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan (“Insanity”), she was exempted from criminal liability.
By court ruling, compulsory medical measures were imposed on her — treatment in a specialised psychiatric hospital with intensive observation.