A Mob Of Angry Muslims Beat Gay Rights Activist With A Bat, Send To The Hospital In Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan has opened a criminal investigation after a blogger who advocated for gay rights was beaten outside his Tashkent home.

Miraziz Bazarov was left hospitalized by Sunday's attack, in which three masked men, including one with a baseball bat, beat him.

Bazarov, known for his criticisms of the government and his social media commentary on corruption, was left with a broken leg, a concussion and internal bruising, according to Human Rights Watch.

The attack is believed to be connected to Bazarov’s defense of gay rights and calls for same-sex relationships to be decriminalized. Bazarov has said previously that he doesn’t view himself as a gay activist, but that he believes it is a personal issue that should not be regulated by law. The blogger said he had received threats previously for his commentary.

Consensual same-sex relations between men are criminalized in Uzbekistan, with prison terms of up to three years. As well as the risk of arrest, Uzbeks can face threats and extortion for their relationships.