Kyrgyz Launch Probe Into Beating Of Interfax Journalist

May 03, 2011
OSH, Kyrgyzstan -- Kyrgyz officials in the southern city of Osh are investigating the beating of a journalist working for the Russian news agency Interfax, RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service reports.
 
Jyldyz Bekbaeva was attacked by four assailants on the evening of May 1. She was hospitalized with numerous bruises, a concussion, and other wounds. No valuables were taken.
 
Bekbaeva told RFE/RL that two of the attackers were women. She declined to comment on the possible motive for the attack.
 
Bekbaeva had recently written about security in the country and problems faced by people living along the Uzbek border.
 
She also had begun an investigation on a book that was banned by Kyrgyz officials, "The Hour Of The Jackal," about the deadly unrest in the Osh and Jalal-Abad regions last year that led to some 400 deaths.
 
Officials involved in the investigation say it is unclear if the attack is connected with Bekbaeva's professional activities.