How Kuandyk Bishimbaev is serving his sentence

Tengrinews.kz - Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs has provided details on how former Minister of National Economy Kuandyk Bishimbaev is serving his sentence.
Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs and Chairman of the Committee for the Penitentiary System (KUIS) Abay Kaiyrbekov stated that Bishimbaev is held in a correctional facility “on the same terms as other inmates.”

“Bishimbaev serves his sentence in full compliance with all requirements of the penal system, on equal terms with other convicts,” Kaiyrbekov said.

When asked about Bishimbaev’s employment and earnings in prison, the deputy minister noted that such information falls under personal data.

“Employment details of inmates are considered personal data and are provided only to family members and lawyers. Overall, I can say that about half of the prisoners in our facilities are employed. This year, we increased the number of employed inmates by 3,000 and will continue this work,” he explained.

Journalists also inquired whether the former minister is held in solitary confinement.

“As I already mentioned, he serves his sentence under general conditions together with other prisoners. There are no special conditions, privileges, or requirements for this inmate,” Kaiyrbekov added.

Bishimbaev was convicted on May 13, 2024, in Astana for the murder of his civil partner Saltanat Nukenova. The court sentenced him to 24 years in prison.