(20 January 2026 | Source: Ulysmedia.kz)
Lawyers in Shymkent have reported the suspension of several senior police officers following the high-profile murder of a 21-year-old student, Nurai Serikbai.
WHO HAS BEEN SUSPENDED
As reported by the portal Ulysmedia.kz citing Shymkent lawyer Talgat Yesimov, they have been dismissed from their posts: the head of the Shymkent police department Almasbekov, his deputies Sakhov and Kaldarbekov, the head of the police department for the Karatau district, and the deputy head for investigations.
This information was confirmed to the portal's journalist by the lawyer for the deceased student's family, Ayanhan Omarov. He also did not rule out the possibility of criminal proceedings being initiated under the article on improper performance of official duties.
No official confirmation of the personnel decisions from law enforcement agencies had been received at the time of publication.
WHAT THE PRESIDENT SAID
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev stated at a meeting of the National Kurultai that the death of the young woman in Shymkent had stirred public sentiment. In this regard, the President instructed the Ministry of Internal Affairs to provide a legal assessment of the actions of the Shymkent police department.
The Head of State also noted that the suspect had systematically harassed the woman and threatened her.
BACKGROUND
Nurai Serikbai died from stab wounds on 11 January. CCTV cameras captured the woman trying to flee from a man. However, he caught up with her and inflicted knife wounds before fleeing.
The suspect was arrested on 13 January. He turned out to be a 28-year-old acquaintance of the deceased. Her relatives say that last year he abducted Nurai and tried to force her into marriage. The woman was brought back home, but the harassment did not end.