Almaty, 20 July 2004 (RFE/RL) -- Kazakh opposition journalist Askhat Sharipzhan died today of injuries he received in a traffic accident on 16 July in the Kazakh city Almaty.
Sharipzhan was hit by a car as he crossed the street and suffered multiple skull fractures. Journalists and opposition leader Zamanbek Nurkadilov have accused the government of playing a role in Sharipzhan's death.
Police in Almaty have rejected these claims and say the driver of the vehicle that struck Sharipzhan stopped and administered first aid, called an ambulance and had cooperated with authorities investigating the accident.
Sharipzhan worked mainly through the internet writing about the activities of opposition parties and figures in Kazakhstan.
(RFE/RL's Kazakh Service)
Police in Almaty have rejected these claims and say the driver of the vehicle that struck Sharipzhan stopped and administered first aid, called an ambulance and had cooperated with authorities investigating the accident.
Sharipzhan worked mainly through the internet writing about the activities of opposition parties and figures in Kazakhstan.
(RFE/RL's Kazakh Service)