The trouble started when a 67-year-old man got angry after being asked to show his ID. He grabbed a 21-year-old security officer named Botagoz Mukhtarova and threatened to stab her. The attacker also claimed he had a bomb that he could set off with his phone.
Abdraim, who was at the airport to see off some relatives, heard Mukhtarova screaming and saw she was in danger. He didn't hesitate to step in.
"I came to the airport to see off my relatives and suddenly I heard a girl screaming. I saw that she was going to be stabbed and I said: 'Take me hostage instead of her'," Abdraim explained.
The attacker agreed and let Mukhtarova go. Abdraim, drawing on his past experience in boxing, Thai boxing, and kickboxing, waited for the right moment to act. When the attacker got distracted, Abdraim grabbed the knife by its blade.
A struggle followed, with Abdraim fighting to disarm the man. Airport security and police rushed in to help, and together they managed to overpower and arrest the attacker.
The 67-year-old man now faces up to 12 years in prison for his actions. As for Abdraim, his bravery won't go unnoticed. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev announced that the former boxer will receive a state medal for his courage.
Abdraim's quick thinking and willingness to put himself in harm's way likely saved lives that day. His story serves as a reminder that sometimes, everyday heroes are found in the most unexpected places – even at airport security checkpoints.