Ryskeldi Satke

There has been beating of Atambaev election campaign activist reported on June 19 in Toktogul province of Kyrgyzstan. Incident took place around 9 pm when Salavat Anikeev (Atambaev campaign province manager) has been conducting visits to the local election districts. As Atambaev presidential election headquarters state activist was followed by white SUV which pressed victim's automobile to pull over on the freeway. Anikeev was dragged out of his vehicle by two unknown individuals while he tried to make a telephone call for help. Attackers brutally beat the victim and smashed his cellular phone. They warned on further consequences if Anikeev would't quit Atambaev campaign.

This is not a first warning Anikeev has received from the local authorities since volunteering for opposition candidate Atambaev who by most analysts in the region has a chances to become a president of Kyrgyz Republic on July 23 presidential elections.Previously,Toktog ul province mayor has been threatening Anikeev to press charges against him and file a paperwork with the local Prosecutor's office. Activist responded that there is no breaking the law by campaigning for an opposition candidate.

Reports of attacks,assaults,harassment and intimidation against Atambaev campaign activists around the country are coming on the regular basis since the beginning of the presidential elections in Kyrgyzstan..
On June 18 kyrgyz authorities in Talas province arrested 28 opposition activists who tried to meet the current president Kurmanbek Bakiev.

Another organized mass assault on opposition members and activists by kyrgyz authorities indicated in Issyk Kul province where UOM (United Opposition Movement) planned to have a convention. The province mayor and local law enforcement agency's chief have been spotted by observers as well as reporters organizing violent attacks on UOM members.One of the prominent UOM leaders Omurbek Tekebaev has been arrested by the local police for a few hours without charges after which he managed to leave the police station while his colleagues have been questioned during their detention.Video reports have been clearly showing the role of the local authorities in witch hunting.

The opposition candidate Atambaev election campaign activists have been intimidated and harassed around the country by the local authorities on the regular basis. Chief-strategist for the Atambaev campaign,Bakyt Beshimov has been repeatedly expressing concerns over Kyrgyz Government's tactic against the opposition movement since the election campaign started.

 http://en.jetigen.org/artic le/2009/20/06/kyrgyz-author ities-made-threats-against- atambaev-election-campaign- activist