A former prime minister of Kazakhstan, Akezhan Kazhegeldin, has formally launched his campaign for the presidential elections in January -- despite what his aides say was an attempt on his life yesterday.
Addressing a news conference at his residence, wearing a bullet-proof vest, Mr Kazhegeldin told journalists he did not believe the shooting -- while he was out riding -- had been a serious attempt on his life, but was instead intended to frighten him.
There's been no independent confirmation of the incident and a spokesman for President Nursultan Nazarbayev dismissed the report as a publicity stunt.
However, the BBC central Asia correspondent says the episode is likely to raise concerns about the atmosphere of the election comapign.
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