friends in which he reported that his health was worsening, including memory loss, difficulties concentrating, and partial loss of vision.37 • A defender who was sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment reportedly spent seven months in solitary confinement and was held in a psychiatric unit for drug addicts and the mentally ill. Her health deteriorated as a result of the conditions in which she was being held. It was reported that she had lost approximately 20 kilograms and was suffering from low blood pressure as well as a kidney-related illness caused by cold. 38 Attacks • In the days following an LGBT pride and equality march, one of the organizers of the march received three text messages with death threats. He was later recognized and attacked by several people. Another march organizer was also attacked.39 • An activist was attacked by an unidentified masked woman outside the house of a former colleague. The assailant allegedly demanded the activist’s documents. When she refused to hand them over, the assailant physically attacked her and took her documents and earrings. The activist suffered a concussion as a result of the attack and was treated in hospital for her injuries. The attack took place the day before she was due to testify against a publisher of xenophobic literature who had been accused of inciting ethnic hatred. Prior to the attack, she had allegedly received an anonymous phone call threatening her and her family with death if she testified. An official investigation was opened into the case.40 • A correspondent covering issues related to national-minority issues was attacked by unidentified assailants and suffered injuries to his head, hands, and other parts of his body.41 • A journalist and defender was insulted and beaten up near a mosque after Friday prayers by a man who accused the journalist of criticizing the president of their country. The incident was allegedly observed and filmed by security officers in plain clothes, who did not intervene.42 • The deputy head of an NGO dealing with projects on housing and property rights was attacked by two unidentified assailants in the hallway of his apartment building. He suffered head injuries, including nine open wounds that were apparently caused by a hatchet. The assailants took his files and keys, but not his money or other valuables. Several days prior to the attack, he had received a 37 Case of Jamshid Karimov (Uzbekistan), “Journalist forcibly interned in psychiatric hospital subject to inhumane treatment, his health declines”, Reporters Without Borders/ International Freedom of Expression Exchange (RSF/IFEX), 13 August 2007. 38 Case of Mutabar Tadjibaeva (Uzbekistan), “Uzbekistan: Further ill-treatment of human rights defender Mutabar Tadjibaeva”, Front Line, 15 October 2007; Human Rights Council, op. cit., note 34, paras. 1940 and 1972, for the Government’s response, see para. 1943. 39 Case of Franko Dota and Viktor Zahtila (Croatia). Information provided by the International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA). 40 Case of Valentina Uzunova (Russian Federation), Human Rights Council, op. cit., note 34, para. 1680, for the government’s response, see para. 1683. The government of the Russian Federation noted that a criminal investigation is ongoing and that this case is being given special attention by the Prosecutor-General’s Office. 41 Case of Andreas Rompopoulos (Turkey), “EFJ Calls for Investigation after Attack on Greek Journalist in Istanbul”, European Federation of Journalists, 7 December 2007. The government of Turkey noted that a preparatory investigation by the Public Prosecutor’s Office of Beyo lu/Istanbul is under way. 42 Case of Kamil Ashurov (Uzbekistan), Urgent Appeal, Observatory FIDH/OMCT, 29 May 2007; information was also provided by Human Rights Watch, 15 May 2008. 13