In colony No. 15 in Atyrau, a man serving a 25-year sentence for sexual crimes against children was brutally killed. Five inmates are now on trial for the murder. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.
According to the publication Ak Zhaik, the case concerns the murder of 51-year-old Dabyl Utegenov. The trial is being conducted by Judge Zarema Khamidullina. Three years ago, she was the one who sentenced Utegenov.
According to the prosecution, the tragedy occurred on March 22, 2026, after a conflict over the repair of a washing machine. One of the inmates decided to deal with Utegenov and brought in four others.
The man was taken to a separate room. Before that, one of the surveillance cameras was covered with a black cap. According to the investigation, Utegenov was then beaten to death. The case file mentions a plastic pipe, a wooden object, and a screwdriver.
The incident became known when an operator noticed the covered camera and reported it to the duty officer. Colony staff found Utegenov on the floor.
Later, he was found unconscious in the washroom. Arriving medics pronounced him dead. An examination established that the injuries sustained were directly related to the man's death.
During the investigation, the defendants described the events differently. One admitted to beating Utegenov with his hands and a wooden object. Another confirmed covering the camera. Another, according to the investigation, recognized himself in the footage with a screwdriver and a wooden stick.
Three defendants are charged with murder committed by a group of persons by prior conspiracy, and two others with aiding and abetting.
Several defense lawyers disagreed with the charges and asked to change the classification or terminate the criminal prosecution.
Now the court must determine the role of each of the five defendants and make a decision in the case.
Earlier, Kursiv reported how a Pavlodar resident was convicted 14 years later for the murder of a 72-year-old pensioner.