A criminal case into the death of 13-year-old Dinmukhammed during a kokpar game in the Tselinograd district of the Akmola region was closed on 29 July 2026. The teenager's family disagrees with the decision and is demanding the investigation be reopened. The boy died on 26 May after sustaining severe injuries during the game.
WHAT HAPPENED
According to NewTimes.kz, a criminal case was opened in May. Investigators carried out the necessary investigative procedures, and the investigation was closed on 29 July due to the absence of the elements of a criminal offence. The decision was approved by the district prosecutor's office.
According to the deceased boy's aunt, Perizat Tolegen, on the day of the tragedy adults took to the field first, followed by the teenagers. Dinmukhammed sustained a severe head injury.
WHY THE FAMILY DISAGREES WITH THE FINDINGS
The relatives claim that the teenagers' participation in the training kokpar game was discussed in advance in a WhatsApp chat. According to them, on 24 May a man named Sabit wrote in the local teams' group and asked who would be taking part in the game on 26 May.
Perizat Tolegen also said that on the morning of the tragedy, a man named Batyr arrived to pick up Dinmukhammed and took him to training. According to the relative, his mother did not want to let her son go.
WHAT THE MEDICAL EXAMINATION FOUND
According to the family, the forensic medical examination found the teenager had suffered a fracture of the occipital bone, haemorrhaging, and a torn ligament between the first and second cervical vertebrae. Bruising and an abrasion were also found on his left leg.
The materials cited by the relatives state that the injuries were sustained during life as a result of impact from hard, blunt objects. However, the teenager's loved ones note that the wording they cite does not directly mention a fall from the horse.
WITNESS ACCOUNTS DIFFERED
According to Perizat Tolegen, witnesses' versions of the moment of collision did not match. One said that Dinmukhammed's horse was struck from the right, causing the boy to fall and hit his head. Another claimed the teenager fell to the left. A further witness recounted that after the collision Dinmukhammed remained in the saddle for some time before falling.
The witnesses attributed the discrepancies to heavy dust on the field. After visiting the scene, the relatives doubted that the dust could have completely obscured the view.
WHAT IS KNOWN ABOUT THE INVESTIGATION
The police department of the Akmola region reported that the investigation was completed on 29 July 2026 due to the absence of the elements of a criminal offence. The decision was approved by the district prosecutor's office.
The family disagrees with the findings of the investigation and is demanding it be reopened.
CONTEXT
The tragic incident occurred on 26 May 2026 in the territory of the Rakhymzhan Koshkarbayev rural district.
The district akimat reported that it had not been notified of the event. No official notifications or requests for approval had been submitted to the local executive body.
