Bulat Abilov, an opposition politician, said "I don't think this is unconnected to the strike." "The local chief of police, quoted in a local paper, said the killing was not related to the strike. The company spokesman declined comment," according to one report.
DCK was split in the spring of 2002 as a group of moderate members, including Oraz Zhandosov, Bulat Abilov and Alikhan Baimenov established the center- right Ak Zhol Party.