A trial has begun in Shymkent in the case of the murder of 40-year-old Master of Sport Vasily Kolesnikov. Six men are in the dock, while two more alleged participants, according to the deceased's family's defence, are on the run.
WHO IS INVOLVED IN THE CASE
According to Ulysmedia.kz, the case is being heard by the Specialised Criminal Court of Shymkent. The presiding judge is Abinur Karabayev.
According to the deceased's family's lawyer, Talgat Yesimov, six defendants are involved in the case, while two more alleged participants are on the run. The lawyer also stated that each of the accused has a prior criminal record.
The deceased's family has said it does not intend to reconcile with the defendants.
Vasily Kolesnikov was a Master of Sport in wrestling and the son of the renowned coach Alexander Kolesnikov.
HOW THE EVENTS UNFOLDED
The crime took place on 20 January in Shymkent. According to the investigation's version, the attack was planned in advance: the alleged participants armed themselves with a knife and a pistol, put on masks and drove to the city centre.
The state prosecutor Mukhtar Arystanov told the court that, according to the investigation, the actions were carried out by a group of people acting on prior conspiracy. However, the knife and pistol mentioned in the case materials could not be located by the investigation.
According to the prosecution, there was initially a conflict between the men and a friend of Vasily Kolesnikov. They were unable to find this person, after which, according to the investigation's position, they decided to attack Kolesnikov.
WHAT HAPPENED AFTER THE ATTACK
Two of Vasily Kolesnikov's friends were in the car with him. According to the materials provided, they were also wounded during the attack.
According to the investigation, after the attack the seriously wounded Kolesnikov was taken out of the city and later left near a medical facility in the settlement of Temirlan. He was searched for several hours before being found near the hospital in the Ordabasy district of the Turkestan region.
Earlier, the deceased's family's lawyer reported that Vasily Kolesnikov had suffered broken arms and legs.
WHY THE AMBUSH THEORY FEATURES IN THE CASE
Initially, what happened could have appeared to be a road traffic accident (RTA) that escalated into a mass brawl. However, the deceased's family's lawyer previously stated that the crash may have been staged deliberately to lure Kolesnikov out.
Footage that emerged after the incident showed people gathering on the road and a fight breaking out, after which Kolesnikov was forcibly placed in a car and driven away. The final legal assessment of these circumstances falls within the competence of the court.
