March 27, 2007
Posted: April 2, 2007
Daniyar Isanov, New TV Net (NTS)
ATTACKED
Four unidentified men approached Isanov, a news anchor for NTS, and asked him for a cigarette as the journalist was leaving the Kyrgyzfilm cinema in the Kyrgyz capital Bishkek at around 9 p.m., according to local press reports.
The men then attacked Isanov from behind, hitting him in the head several times, according to local press reports. During this time, one of the men yelled, “This is for NTS,” according to the U.S.-based media training organization Internews-Kyrgyzstan.
The men then threw Isanov into their car and drove him to a river on the outskirts of Bishkek, the press freedom organization Public Association Journalist reported. The men threw the journalist onto to the street and beat him until he passed out. The men also took the journalist’s money and cell phone.
Isanov regained consciousness at approximately 5 a.m. and was driven to the hospital by a passing taxi, the online news agency 24 reported. According to the Public Association Journalist, Isanov was hospitalized for a broken nose and facial bruises.
Police are investigating the incident, according to local press reports.