Almaty issues verdict in January house attack

Central Asia (KZ) – The Almaty Specialized Interdistrict Criminal Court reportedly issued a verdict on the attack on the Almaty presidential residence and the city’s government building during the January 2022 events Informationburo.kz.

The trial began in September 2023 with 11 people in the dock. Among them were Kosai Makhanbaev and Nurtas Karaneev, who were among the first to report being tortured after their arrest. Prosecutors demanded 10-12 years in prison for all of them.

The defendants were charged under Articles 261 – “hostage taking”, 269 – “attack on buildings, structures, communications and means of communication or seizure”, 272 – “mass riot” and 380 – “threatening or violent actions against others” of the RK Criminal Code.

Court decision:

• Serikbol Oryngazy – seven years in prison, taking into account amnesty – one year and nine months in a medium-security institution;
• Rysbek Mamyrov – seven years in prison, taking into account amnesty – one year and nine months in a medium-security institution;
• Arman Alimbekov – seven years in prison, taking into account amnesty – one year and nine months in a medium-security institution;
• Abidollah Taubay – seven years in prison, with amnesty being considered – one year and nine months in a medium security facility;
• Nurtas Karaneev – sentenced to seven years in prison in consideration of amnesty – served one year and nine months in a medium-security institution;
• Kosai Makhanbaev – seven years in prison, taking into account amnesty – one year and nine months in a medium-security institution;
• Serik Kekilbayev – seven years in prison, taking into account amnesty – one year and nine months in prison in a medium-security institution;
• Nursultan Baikisiev – seven years in prison, with amnesty in mind – one year and nine months in a medium-security institution;
• Akzhol Zhandarbekov – 16 years in prison, taking into account amnesty – served four years in a medium-security institution;
• Dauren Bakiev – seven years in prison, taking into account amnesty – one year and nine months in a medium-security institution;
• Tursynbai Alpysbaev – seven years in prison, taking into account amnesty – one year and nine months in a medium-security institution.

“The defendants’ criminal conduct resulted in serious consequences related to the destruction of property. Three defendants used violence against military personnel and law enforcement officers. One of the defendants took two military cadets hostage, causing them minor injuries. The defendants partially admitted to these charges,” the court’s press service said.

Mitigating circumstances include: having young children, health, marital status and a clean criminal record.

In January 2022, protests in the Mangisto region of Kazakhstan against rising gas prices quickly spread across the country and escalated into riots. The epicenter was Almaty, where on January 5, a crowd broke into and set fire to the Akimat building and the presidential residence. According to the Prosecutor General’s Office, up to a thousand people participated in the seizure.