A court in Shymkent continued the hearing of a criminal case concerning the death of 21-year-old Nuray Serikbai. During the sessions, the defendant Sherkhan Aymakhan pleaded not guilty, gave his own version of events, and apologised to the victim's relatives and the people of Kazakhstan for his mental state.
WHAT CHARGES HAVE BEEN BROUGHT
Sherkhan Aymakhan is on trial charged with kidnapping, coercion into marriage, harassment (stalking), and murder committed with exceptional cruelty.
As reported at the preliminary court hearing, the prosecutor read out the indictment. According to the investigation, the defendant had pursued the girl for a long time and, on the day of the tragedy, inflicted 35 stab wounds on her. It is also alleged that shortly before the incident, he called the victim many times.
The defendant did not plead guilty. He also objected to the online broadcast of the proceedings, as well as to photography and video recording, and asked for the case to be heard without a jury. As a result, the online broadcast of the hearings was stopped, although journalists were allowed to be present in the courtroom and to film.
WHAT THE DEFENDANT STATED IN COURT
During the hearing of the case, Sherkhan Aymakhan stated that he met Nuray Serikbai in the summer of 2025; according to him, they were in a relationship, he gave her gifts and provided financial assistance. He also claims that the girl voluntarily agreed to marry him and to the so-called 'bride kidnapping'.
According to the defendant, on 11 January 2026, he wanted to tell her they were breaking up and to return a ring. He claims that before the meeting, he put two knives that were in the car into his pocket and then allegedly forgot about them.
The defendant stated that during the conversation, the girl threw away the ring, hit him, and then, in his version of events, she cut him with a knife after he himself had handed it to her. He claims he does not remember what happened after that. He also stated that he was 'in a state of temporary insanity'.
STATEMENT REGARDING STATE OF HEALTH
During the court hearing, Sherkhan Aymakhan apologised to the victim's relatives, his own family, and the people of Kazakhstan. He stated that after a head injury in 2019, he was allegedly diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder, which he claims led to problems with his memory and mental health.
However, a forensic psychiatric examination found the defendant to be sane. The defendant also denied that he had stalked Nuray Serikbai.
HOW THE EVENTS UNFOLDED
The tragedy occurred on 11 January 2026 in Shymkent. Nuray Serikbai received fatal stab wounds on the street from a man who was pursuing her. The suspect — a 28-year-old man — was detained two days later and placed in a pre-trial detention centre.
The situation caused a public outcry. On 20 January 2026, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev ordered an assessment of the actions of the Shymkent police. Subsequently, personnel decisions were made.
Later, the charge was reclassified to 'Murder committed with exceptional cruelty'. The penalty provides for 15 to 20 years in prison or life imprisonment.
