Abdullo Gurbati, a journalist for the independent media outlet Asia-Plus, was beaten by two men outside of his apartment in Tajikistan’s capital, Dushanbe. According to news reports, Gurbati sought treatment in local hospitals but was turned away due to the number of coronavirus patients. The attacked is suspected to be retaliation for Gurbati’s coverage of the coronavirus outbreak in Tajikistan. One of the few reporters covering the topic, he had been the subject of an online smear campaign carried out by governmemt-linked trolls.