UKRAINE: A Ukrainian opposition activist and journalist known for her investigations into corruption among senior state officials is beaten up by unknown attackers

Record ID: 354073

  • Title: UKRAINE: A Ukrainian opposition activist and journalist known for her investigations into corruption among senior state officials is beaten up by unknown attackers
  • Date: 25th December 2013
  • Summary: KIEV, UKRAINE (DECEMBER 25, 2013) (REUTERS) NURSE ATTENDING TO TETYANA CHORNOVIL AT HOSPITAL MEDICAL STAFF WITH STRETCHERS NURSE ATTENDING TO CHORNOVIL CLOSE OF CHORNOVIL FACE COVERED IN BLOOD NURSE POLICEMAN IN HOSPITAL CORRIDOR CHORNOVIL BEING TAKEN INTO AMBULANCE EXTERIOR OF KIEV HOSPITAL (SOUNDBITE) (Ukrainian) ZORYAN SHKIRYAK, LEADER OF ANTI-GOVERNMENT PROTEST, SAYIN
  • Embargoed: 9th January 2014 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Ukraine
  • Country: Ukraine
  • Topics: Crime,Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA6BDTX0GMNII09SUCMSTF2BG6N
  • Story Text: A Ukrainian opposition activist and journalist known for her investigations into corruption among senior state officials was beaten up by unknown attackers on Wednesday (December 25).
    Tetyana Chornovil was assaulted near the capital Kiev hours after an article she wrote on the assets of top government officials was published.
    The 34-year-old, a prominent activist who has given speeches at recent anti-government protests, told police her car was stopped by a vehicle just after midnight. A group of unidentified men got out and broke the rear window of her car.
    "They then pulled her from the car, beat her and left her in a ditch," police said in a statement. The statement did not say whether she had been robbed.
    The freelance journalist was left with a broken nose, concussion and numerous bruises, online newspaper Ukrainska Pravda reported. Opposition activists said she was in intensive care in hospital.
    "It is another attempt to scare (protesters) and just another act of exposing extraordinary and inhumane cruelty of these people towards their opponents", said Zoryan Shkiryak, one of anti-goverment protests leaders.
    "Taking into account high-profile investigations Tetyana Choronovil had carried out and her recent high profile publications we can say with certainty that this cruel criminal act was not an accident," Shkiryak added.
    Kiev has been gripped by street protests since late November when President Viktor Yanukovich's government refused to sign an association agreement with the European Union. Weekend rallies have sometimes drawing hundreds of thousands people.
    Ukraine struck a deal with Russia last week to receive a $15 billion bailout and lower gas prices under a deal that keeps the cash-strapped country in Moscow's orbit.
    Yanukovich has urged police to find those responsible for Chornovil's beating, his office said.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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