Deputy Ruslan Berdenov undergoes surgery preparations following a suspected attempted murder
Shymkent Deputy Mayor Ruslan Berdenov Undergoes Second Operation for Shotgun Wounds
Ruslan Berdenov, the Deputy Akim of Shymkent, is currently receiving treatment in a clinic in Almaty. A second operation has been scheduled for August 13, during which the remaining shotgun pellets in his body will be removed.
The attempted murder of Ruslan Berdenov, a high-profile figure in Kazakhstan, occurred near the building of the city's akimat in Shymkent on April 21. Yernar Zhienbay, who was later detained, stands accused of the crime, charged under Part 3 of Article 24 and Part 1 of Article 99 of the Criminal Code ("Attempted Murder").
Berdenov shared a post on social media on the day the trial began, stating that more than 60 shotgun pellets are still in his body. His absence from the court hearing was explained by the presence of these pellets.
The court hearing for the attempted murder case began on July 6 in Shymkent, but Berdenov did not attend due to his medical condition. In his absence, he expressed his belief in an honest, open, and fair trial, writing in the post that no speculations, no manipulations, and no false accusations will deter him from his path.
The defendant, Yernar Zhienbay, is currently undergoing treatment in a clinic in Almaty, with the second operation scheduled for August 13 to remove the remaining shotgun pellets. The exact date for Ruslan Berdenov's appearance in court before the presentation of evidence depends on the doctors' conclusion.
As of August 2025, no publicly available sources provide specific updates on the trial's outcome or further proceedings related to the case. The court hearing in Shymkent has been a topic of significant public interest, given Berdenov's high position in the city government.
[1] Retrieved from various news sources on August 20, 2025.
