Former Kazakh Minister Who Killed His Wife Makes Shocking Confession in Court

Attempting to stay free, the man claimed that the woman frequently belittled him and compared him to her previous partners.

The murder case of Saltanat Nukenova finally reached the courtroom, despite initial doubts from her family about whether justice would prevail. The accused is none other than Kuandyk Bishimbaev, the former Minister of National Economy of Kazakhstan.

In November 2023, Kuandyk took Saltanat’s life after subjecting her to eight hours of abuse in a restaurant located in the heart of Astana. Witnesses were too intimidated by his fierce temperament to intervene. This tragic story quickly captured international media attention.

Bishimbaev was eventually arrested, along with his brother, who assisted in covering up the crime by disposing of Saltanat’s phone—first at a gym, then at home. He was aware that Saltanat’s family was tracking her location and attempted to erase evidence.

Friends and relatives of Saltanat were aware that the couple’s relationship was troubled. Saltanat often appeared with bruises but deflected conversations about abuse. During their short marriage, Kuandyk isolated her from friends and forced her to quit her job, making her financially dependent on him.

More court sessions are expected before the jury delivers a verdict. Kuandyk took the stand, maintaining that the fatal incident was accidental and denying any premeditated cruelty.

"I do not admit to intentionally or deliberately killing my wife, Saltanat, with special cruelty. My denial does not mean I am not involved. The only thing I want to say is that there was no intent or extreme brutality," the defendant stated.

Kuandyk addressed every accusation against him, presenting his own narrative. While Saltanat’s family labeled him a tyrant, he described his wife as volatile, prone to fights, and struggling with alcohol abuse.

• The brother of Saltanat Nukenova, killed by the former Kazakh minister, revealed their last message: "I'm tired"

To support his claims, Kuandyk recalled how he gifted Saltanat on International Women’s Day, but the next day she accused him of sending greetings to other women—his colleagues, he said.

"She started comparing me to her ex-partners in intimate, financial, and material aspects. She became uncontrollable and aggressive. She attacked me that day, and I lost control," the ex-minister recounted.

The altercation ended with Saltanat sending photos of her bruises to her brother.

"I convinced her to see a psychiatrist in Moscow. She was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder," Bishimbaev told the court.

He also denied being irrationally jealous, claiming his feelings stemmed not from jealousy but from deep hurt. According to him, Saltanat had a history of relationships with married men since she was 20.

"It was a pattern in her relationships. Her previous boyfriend was also married. She confided in me, fearing I would hear it from others. From ages 20 to 28 or 29, that was her lifestyle. I wasn’t jealous; I was ashamed of her past. I felt hurt and betrayed," he said.

Regarding accusations of humiliating his wife by questioning if she had appeared in adult films, Kuandyk explained he only sought clarification. One night, he received a Telegram link from an unknown number showing a video with a woman resembling Saltanat.

"I was shocked and searched for it. The video was erotic, featuring a woman who looked similar but whose face was not visible. Naturally, I couldn’t be sure. I confronted her, asking, 'Please explain why I received this? Is that you in the video?' She assured me it wasn’t her, pointing out differences," he shared.

Saltanat reportedly tried to leave Kuandyk twelve times, a fact he openly acknowledged.

"Her departures were linked to her emotional state. She would spiral out of control and become unmanageable," he reflected.

He insisted there was no valid reason for separation, as their marriage followed religious traditions.

"She never lacked money. I don’t know how she managed to feel overwhelmed," the defendant concluded.

Kuandyk spoke calmly about the tragic night when Saltanat’s life ended, seemingly confident that he will avoid harsh punishment. Previously, he was supposed to serve a 10-year sentence for bribery but was released after 1.5 years.

Saltanat’s family is horrified by his testimony, dismissing much of it as blatant lies.

"He deserves an Oscar for his manipulation. Today, I wasn’t hurt but found it almost laughable. Everything he says is false. He was jealous of everyone—his cousin, uncle, absolutely everyone," said Zhumagul Nukenova, Saltanat’s mother, after the hearing.

Photo credit: social media

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