Elderly Individual Found Guilty of Kidnapping Female Passenger at Almaty Airport
In a landmark trial that began in April 2025, the Turksib District Court of Almaty has sentenced 67-year-old Mashrapbek Baratov to 11 years in prison for a hostage-taking incident at Almaty International Airport on March 7, 2025.
The sentencing comes after Baratov was found guilty under three articles of the Kazakh Criminal Code. He was charged with hostage-taking, hooliganism with the use of weapons, and false reporting of a terrorist act. The hostage-taking charge was based on Baratov forcibly taking an aviation security employee, Botagoz Mukhtarova, hostage by grabbing her by the hair and holding a knife to her throat.
The incident unfolded when Baratov, disguised as a passenger, entered the pre-flight screening area. When challenged by security personnel for documents, he attacked the employee and issued terror threats. However, a brave 52-year-old former boxer, Abdraim Musa Sairanbayuly, offered himself as a substitute hostage and successfully disarmed and subdued Baratov. Musa's quick actions were later acknowledged by Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the President of Kazakhstan, who awarded him the "Erelgi Üşin" medal for his bravery.
During the trial, Baratov admitted his guilt, expressing remorse for his actions. The court took this admission into account, but also considered the severity of the offenses and Baratov's prior criminal record, which included a sentence of restricted freedom in a 2023 case. The prosecutor requested a sentence of 10 years and 6 months in a medium-security facility, with credit for time already served since the incident.
The sentencing is not the end of the legal process, as the court's verdict is not yet in force. Baratov will serve his prison term in a medium-security facility. The victim, Botagoz Mukhtarova, has requested a fair punishment for Baratov, and the court's decision reflects the gravity of the offenses committed.
In a separate incident, Baratov was the subject of negative media reports in November 2024, due to an attack on a woman in a bus. This earlier event was not linked to the airport incident or to Musa Sairanbayuly.
The airport incident marked a significant moment in Almaty's history, demonstrating the bravery of citizens like Musa Sairanbayuly and the swift response of law enforcement. The trial and sentencing of Mashrapbek Baratov serve as a reminder of the importance of upholding public safety and the rule of law.
In light of the sentencing, the court's decision on Mashrapbek Baratov serves as a notable instance in the general-news category, emphasizing the importance of crime-and-justice within Kazakhstan. Botagoz Mukhtarova, the victim of Baratov's hostage-taking incident, expressed hopes for a fair punishment, highlighting the gravity of his offense.
