Sherzat Bolat. Photo: baimedia.kz
A court in Taldykorgan, southeastern Kazakhstan, has delivered its verdict in the widely publicized case of the murder of 16-year-old Sherzat Bolat (also spelled Polat), InformBÜRO.kz reports.
The main defendant, Abzal Shynasyl, who inflicted the fatal stab wound, was sentenced to 23 years in prison. The court found him guilty of aggravated hooliganism, the murder of a minor with hooligan motives, and the attempted murder of two other individuals.
His accomplice, Ravil Sakiyev, was also found guilty of hooliganism and attempted murder committed by a group. He received a 20-year prison sentence. Another participant, Azamat Toktaubayev, who took part in the attack and stole the victim’s phone, was sentenced to 15 years. Shyngys Belgozhayev, Darkhan Äskentai, Nūrbol Toqtaubayev, and Didar Qaliahmet were each sentenced to 7 years for group hooliganism involving knives and other dangerous objects. Nurqiyas Ilyasov received a 9-year sentence, factoring in a prior conviction, for his role in the incident.
The only minor among the defendants, Duman Iskak, was sentenced to 18 months in detention for failing to report a crime.
The court also awarded moral damages: Shynasyl must pay 60 million tenge (approx. $117,000), Sakiyev 30 million tenge ($59,000), and the rest of the convicted individuals are jointly liable for an additional 30 million tenge.
In addition, the court issued a special ruling drawing the prosecutor’s attention to possible criminal conduct by several witnesses: D. Zhaksygeldi, E. Nurbekova, A. Kazakenov, and Yu. Ruzbakiev. The victims had earlier alleged that two of the women, listed as witnesses, had actively participated in the attack.
Sherzat Bolat was killed on the night of October 4, 2024, near his family’s grocery store. According to relatives, the incident stemmed from a dispute over a can of beer that a customer refused to pay for. Sherzat and his uncle defended the boy’s father, Karzhaubai Nūrymov, who was working behind the counter that night. The customer returned with a group who attacked Sherzat and his uncle, stabbing Sherzat fatally.
On October 12, unknown individuals set fire to the Bolat family’s home. No one was inside at the time. In response to rising tensions, the Interior Ministry deployed National Guard troops to the area.
A total of 11 suspects were arrested in the case. Local residents alleged that members of the “Khutorskie” organized crime group may have been involved, although the Interior Ministry denied its existence.
Two months after the murder, Sherzat’s uncle was found dead on the outskirts of Talgar in what was ruled a suicide. At his funeral, Sherzat’s father, Karzhaubai Nūrymov, was detained and sentenced to 15 days for reportedly behaving aggressively and threatening attendees. Local media reported that he had climbed onto a truck and demanded to speak with journalists.
The case sparked national outrage and led to the dismissal of several local government and law enforcement officials.
