Nuri Muftakh, a prominent journalist who worked with several independent newspapers in Kazakhstan, was hit by a car on 17 November and died from his injuries, RFE/RL's Kazakh Service reported.

Muftakh was traveling from the southern city of Shymkent to Almaty by bus. When the bus made a routine stop in the city of Taraz, Muftakh got off and was struck by a car. It was unclear if the driver of the car was apprehended or taken into custody.

Muftakh had written many articles about the Kazakh government and alleged corruption. Most recently he was editor in chief of the independent newspaper "Altyn ghasyr" (Golden Century). Muftakh was also the co-founder of the independent newspaper "Respublika 2000," which was closed down by Kazakh officials last year. The daughter of Lira Baysetova, another co-founder of "Respublika 2000," was found dead under mysterious circumstances earlier this year.

(RFE/RL 22.xi.02)