Shymkent soldier left paralyzed after National Guard service, family seeks justice

October 1, 2026 at 01:37 PM2 min

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A soldier from Shymkent who served in the National Guard in Pavlodar is now wheelchair-bound after his health deteriorated sharply one month before demobilization. Doctors diagnosed meningitis after brain surgery, but his family believes beatings and hazing in the army caused his condition. His parents say commanders ignored his pleas for medical help until he fell into a coma.

Key Facts

Omirbek Sultanmuratov, 18, volunteered for military service and was assigned to military unit 5512 of the National Guard in Pavlodar.
His health deteriorated sharply one month before the end of his service, and doctors performed brain surgery and diagnosed meningitis.
Since 2023, Sultanmuratov has been bedridden and only recently began recognizing his parents.
His mother, Madina Shukambayeva, says commanders ignored his requests to see a doctor until he fell into a coma.
No criminal case has been opened into the circumstances of his condition, according to his family.

Soldier's Collapse

Omirbek Sultanmuratov was drafted from Shymkent and served in military unit 5512 of the National Guard in Pavlodar. One month before his scheduled return home, his health suddenly worsened. Doctors performed brain surgery and diagnosed him with meningitis. His family disputes the diagnosis, claiming the condition resulted from beatings and hazing in the army.

Family's Account

His mother, Madina Shukambayeva, said her son told commanders he was ill and asked to be taken to a doctor, but no one listened. He was taken to hospital only after he fell into a coma, she said. His father, Rustambek Shukambayev, said he regrets personally taking his son to the military commissariat in Shymkent. Since 2023, Sultanmuratov has been bedridden and only recently began recognizing his parents.

No Investigation

The family says no criminal case has been opened into how the soldier ended up in this condition. They have spent three years taking him to hospitals and caring for him. Sultanmuratov himself cannot explain what happened because of his condition.