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Journalist Savagely Assaulted In Ukraine

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Ukrainian Activists Rally In Support Of Beaten Journalist
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WATCH: Ukrainian Activists Rally In Support Of Beaten Journalist

A Ukrainian opposition activist and journalist known for her investigations into corruption among senior officials has been viciously assaulted by unknown attackers.

Tetyana Chornovol, who is 34, was beaten up near Kyiv on December 25, hours after an article she wrote on the assets of top government officials was published.

Chornovol, who writes for the "Ukrainska Pravda" opposition website, is a prominent activist who has given speeches at recent antigovernment protests.

She was dragged out of her car and beaten by unidentified men before being abandoned in a ditch.


WATCH: Chornovol's dashcam captured the assailants, after a long chase, eventually ramming her off the road.

The news site reported that Chornovol has suffered a broken nose, concussion and multiple bruises.

Opposition activists said she was in intensive care in hospital.

Ukrainian opposition leader Arseniy Yatsenyuk told reporters that "the attack is connected with Chornovol's journalistic work."

"I have a dashcam which was in Tetyana's car," he said. "We found it. It recorded how Tetyana was followed, how they tried to stop her and practically this is the main evidence, which could help to find the attackers."

Interior Minister Vitaly Zakharchenko said two suspects have been detained in connection with the attack. Zakharchenko said police believe three people were involved in the assault.

He said police are taking measures to arrest the third suspect.

President Viktor Yanukovych's office had earlier said the president condemned the attack and urged police to find those responsible for Chornovol's beating.

Several hundred protesters have continued to gather outside the seat of the interior minister, calling for his resignation.

Some of the protesters held up pictures of the beaten Chornovol.

Oleh Shaporenko, a protester, blamed the attack on the country's leadership.

"This action shows the weakness of this leadership," he said. "When people run out of arguments they resort to beating. On top of that, [this time] they have beaten a woman, a mother, how could they do this?"

Meanwhile, Dunja Mijatovic, the representative on media freedom for the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, has expressed deep concern following the attack, and called for a thorough investigation.

The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv has also called for an urgent investigation into the beating of Chornovol. In a statement published on its website on December 25, the embassy said it was "appalled by the beating."

With reporting by AFP, Reuters, and Interfax
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