Almaty Court Sentences Defendants in Teen's Murder; 23-Year Prison Term for Main Suspect

A court in Almaty region, Kazakhstan, has handed down sentences in the case of the murder of 16-year-old Sherzat Polat. Abzal Shynasyl, the main defendant, received a 23-year prison sentence. Other defendants received sentences ranging from 7 to 20 years. The court ordered the defendants to pay 135 million tenge ($264,600) in compensation to the victim's family. The incident occurred on October 4, 2024, following a conflict near a store where Polat's family worked. The video footage shows the courtroom proceedings and a memorial to the victim, highlighting the emotional impact of the case. While the video raises questions about the fairness of the sentences, it provides a factual account of the court's decision and its consequences.