Courtroom Drama: New Charges Sought in Sherzat Bolat Murder Case

A 16-year-old boy, Sherzat Bolat, was brutally murdered in Almaty Oblast, Kazakhstan on October 4, 2024. The incident, captured on video by bystanders, showed a group of young men beating the teenager. The subsequent burning of the victim's family home further fueled public outrage. On May 29, 2025, a significant development unfolded in the trial. Attorney Meyirman Shekeev, representing the accused, requested that two girls, Dana Zhaksykeldi and Elmira Nurbekova, who witnessed the event, be charged as accomplices. "The girls' presence and inaction are crucial to understanding the full context of the crime," Shekeev argued. The victim's lawyer, Bagdagul Azhigaliyeva, added, "We demand charges of group murder against all participants involved in this horrific act." The judge reserved a decision on the girls' involvement until sentencing. The case highlights the complexities of justice and the need to thoroughly investigate all aspects of such a tragic event.