A trial has begun in the Almaty region over the murder of 24-year-old Zhanasyl Sarsenbay. According to the investigation, after a road conflict, young men followed him to his home, where one of them inflicted knife wounds on him in front of his younger brother. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.
The proceedings are being held in Kaskelen in an open format. In the dock are three young men aged 19 and 20. One is accused of murder, and the other two of concealing the crime. The defendants objected to showing their faces.
The tragedy occurred in May in the Talgar district. According to relatives of the deceased, Zhanasyl went with his younger brother to the cemetery to visit their father's grave. As the brothers were returning home, a car belonging to fellow villagers blocked their way.
Zhanasyl sounded his horn, but they did not clear the passage for him. He then drove around the car at high speed. Relatives believe this may have angered the young men. After that, they followed the brothers to their home.
One of the defendants told the court what happened after the road conflict:
"The driver started honking at us. Yelkhan signaled for him to go around. Zhanasyl said something to Yelkhan, like he cursed at him, and they drove past us at speed. We followed them. Near the house, Yelkhan alone got out. He stabbed Zhanasyl with a knife. Then he told me: 'Step on it.' I was in a state of shock when I saw the knife," one of the defendants said.
The younger brother of the deceased gave a different version of the attack. According to him, three people got out of the car, and no conversation preceded the knife strikes.
"We saw three people getting out. I was standing on the passenger seat side. There was no conversation at all. Suddenly Yelkhan struck my brother with two knives: first with his right hand, then with his left," said the deceased's younger brother, Yerkebulan Sarsenbay.
Zhanasyl died in hospital. His mother stated in court that she does not intend to forgive the defendants and demanded the harshest punishment.
"My son came running in with the words: 'Mom, they stabbed my brother.' I ran out into the street. Zhanasyl was sitting on his knees. I hugged him. We called an ambulance. Then we decided to take him to the hospital ourselves. And afterwards the doctors told me: 'Your son has died.' I will not forgive. Such a thing cannot be forgiven. Let these three bear punishment for their crime. Let them sit in prison for the rest of their lives," said the deceased's mother, Almagul Nurgizat.
The injured party also demanded that the defendants pay compensation in the amount of 100 million tenge. Charges have been brought under the articles "Murder" and "Concealment of a crime." The trial is ongoing.