Astana building collapse trial opens against housing association head

September 20, 2026 at 06:13 PM2 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

A trial has opened in Astana over the death of paramedic Uldana Myrzuan, who was struck by falling bricks while responding to a facade collapse at the Batyr residential complex. The chairman of the property owners' association faces negligence charges. Residents say the building has continued to shed bricks, and city officials say no complaint has been filed.

Key Facts

Paramedic Uldana Myrzuan died 10 days after being struck by falling bricks while responding to a facade collapse at the Batyr residential complex in Astana.
The trial of the property owners' association chairman on negligence charges began last month and has not concluded.
The Batyr complex was built in 2009 by the Rotor company, and its warranty period has expired.
A full technical inspection of the building would cost 17.8 million tenge, according to association chairwoman Akmaral Ospanova.
Astana housing inspection deputy head Yerkebulan Malik said no complaint had been received from residents, but specialists would visit the building the next day.

The Trial

The trial began last month in Astana over the death of paramedic Uldana Myrzuan. Myrzuan was struck by falling bricks while providing emergency assistance after a facade collapse at the Batyr residential complex and died 10 days later. The defendant is the chairman of the property owners' association, charged with negligence in failing to cordon off the dangerous area. Investigators and prosecutors argue the tragedy could have been prevented if the chairman had inspected the building and restricted access to the hazardous zone. The defendant denies the charges, and some colleagues support him, arguing responsibility lies with the construction company that built the complex.

Building Deterioration

The Batyr residential complex was built in 2009 by the Rotor company, and its warranty period has long expired. Residents say cracks and falling bricks have appeared over the past three to four years, and a recent incident repeated the pattern. An inspection by a climber found that the brick cladding on the upper floors had completely detached from the wall. Residents explain that rainwater seeps behind the cladding, freezes, and pushes the facing bricks off the wall. Association chairwoman Akmaral Ospanova said she wrote to the akimat and the emergencies ministry, but both referred the matter to the housing inspection authority, which replied that the association itself is responsible under the law.

Inspection and Responsibility

Ospanova said a full technical inspection would cost 17.8 million tenge, and it is unclear what conclusion it would provide or which agency would carry out repairs. She noted that repair work is not directly within her control, as funds must be collected from residents with their signed consent. Astana housing inspection deputy head Yerkebulan Malik said he first heard of the problem from the reporter and that no complaint had been filed by residents. Malik said specialists would visit the building the next day to speak with the association chairman. The court has not yet issued a final ruling in the case.