Gay rights activist attacked in Kiev

UKRAINE: A leading gay rights activist says he was hospitalised after being beaten during an apparent hate attack in the country’s capital, Kiev.

Taras Karasiychuk, a member of Gay Forum, suffered concussion and a fractured jaw during the attack on Thursday by an unidentified group who shouted homophobic insults at him. Police said an investigation is under way.

The incident comes a month after another violent attack on a member of the gay community caused an outcry. Ukraine was rocked by allegations of racism and xenophobia, which were denied by officials.