Kazakh court sentences stepfather to 23 years for killing teen in Zhitikara

August 27, 2026 at 07:00 PM1 min

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A court in Kazakhstan's Kostanay region sentenced a man to 23 years in prison for fatally stabbing his 15-year-old stepson in Zhitikara in April. The man also wounded his wife during the attack, which was stopped by her brother. The defendant admitted guilt and was found sane.

Key Facts

The court sentenced the stepfather to 23 years in a medium-security penal colony.
The convicted man must pay 15 million tenge to the victim's mother and 5 million tenge to his father for moral damages.
The prosecutor had requested 22 years, while relatives sought life imprisonment.
The defendant stabbed the teenager four times in the chest during the April attack in Zhitikara.
The verdict has not yet entered into legal force.

The Attack

The tragedy occurred in April in Zhitikara after the man had been drinking alcohol with a relative. Following a conflict with his wife, the man attacked her with a knife. His 15-year-old stepson intervened to protect his mother and received four stab wounds to the chest. The teenager died from his injuries. The woman's brother, who ran to her screams, disarmed the attacker and prevented further harm.

Verdict and Sentencing

The Specialized Interdistrict Criminal Court of Kostanay region found the man guilty of murder and attempted murder. Judge Olga Shangina announced the sentence of 23 years in a medium-security institution. The defendant admitted his guilt and asked for forgiveness. A psychiatric examination found him sane. The court also ordered compensation of 15 million tenge to the victim's mother and 5 million tenge to his father.