Press Service of the central electoral headquarters of Zharmakhan Tujakbai, candidate for president of Kazakhstan, released a statement to the effect that "Zhanibek Kozhyk, deputy of the Mangystau regional maslikhat [council] and activist of candidate Tujakbai's electoral headquarters, was assailed and beaten on November 15, 20055."

Kozhyk was driving home when a dark car without license plates forced him off the road. Four athletic-looking young men climbed from the car. Threatening Kozhyk with a firearm, they got him out of the car and assailed the activist. Several shots in the air were fired. The men got into Kozhyk's car and ordered Zhetibai Sansybayev to drive. There is no information on driver Sansybayev's whereabouts.

"Press Service of the central electoral headquarters views the incident as an action of intimidation of democratic candidate Tujakbai's supporters and disruption of his campaign," the statement concluded.

An activist of Tujakbai's electoral headquarters in the South Kazakhstan region was beaten not long ago. The daughter of an activist of the Alma-Ata headquarters is missing.