Altynbek Sarsenbayuly (Kazakh: Алтынбек Сәрсенбаев; or Алтынбек Сәрсенбайұлы; 1962 - February 13, 2006) served in the Government of Kazakhstan before becoming a political opposition leader. At the time of his death, he served as co-chairman of the opposition Naghyz Ak Zhol (True Bright Path) party.
In 2003, after a long career in senior Kazakh government positions, including Mayor of Almaty, Information Minister and Kazakhstani ambassador to Russia, Sarsenbayuly joined the opposition ranks in protest against what he regarded as the administration's authoritarian policies.
Soon after his decision to contest the December 2005 Kazakhstan presidential elections, Sarsenbayuly faced government intimidation tactics, including a physical assault by unidentified individuals during a presidential campaign meeting with voters and the alleged beating of his two nephews in November 2005.
On 13 February 2006 the bodies of Sarsenbayuly, his bodyguard and his driver were found dead on a road near the city of Almaty, reportedly lying face-down, hands tied on their back, and shot in the head at point blank range.
On 22 February 2006 five officers of Kazakhstan's KNB security service, and specifically the elite Arystan combat division, were arrested for involvement in Sarsenbayuly's murder. According to Interior Minister Baurzhan Mukhamedzhanov the five men were paid $25,000 for committing the murder. Nartay Dutbayev, the chief national security officer in the government, resigned on 23 February, the day after his subordinates were arrested.[1]
Police arrested a sixth man, a former law enforcement officer, as a suspect for organizing the operation.