Femen Says Security Forces Beat Ukrainian Activist

The feminist activist group Femen is claiming members of Ukraine's and Russia's security services savagely beat one of its leading male activists.

Femen said on July 25 that "political consultant" Viktor Svyatskiy was assaulted near the group's headquarters in Kyiv late on July 24.

Femen said the assailants broke his jaw and knocked out several of his teeth. Svyatskiy was taken to a hospital for treatment.

The group did not provide evidence for their accusations, but said Svyatskiy was attacked as a warning to Femen activists not to go ahead with plans to protest at an event over the weekend marking the 1,025th anniversary of the Kyivan Rus adopting Christianity.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is scheduled to attend that event.

Femen's female activists have gained notoriety for their topless demonstrations to protest discrimination against women and other rights issues.