An opposition representative and human rights defender in the Georgian separatist region of South Ossetia was hospitalized after suffering a vicious attack, Human Rights Watch reported on Tuesday.

Timur Tskhovrebov, editor of an independent newspaper and founder of the government opposition party (Iron Republican Party) in South Ossetia, was attacked Saturday in the regional capital Tskhinvali, HRW said in a statement.

Three local parliament members were among the approximately 10 attackers, said the watchdog of human rights.

The opponent was severely beaten and threatened with a gun. Suffering from a concussion, a broken hand and facial injuries and neck, he was admitted to a Russian hospital in South Ossetia.

The assailants allegedly threatened to kill Tskhovrebov because he had signed a joint appeal with Georgian activists and defenders of human rights calling for cooperation and urging those involved in the Geneva consultations to make the humanitarian needs of the local population a priority.

The Geneva negotiations platform was established after the August 2008 war and is sponsored by the United Nations.

"We are appalled by the attack on Tskhovrebov and deeply concerned about the safety of activists in South Ossetia," said Holly Cartner, Europe and Central Asia director at Human Rights Watch. "A prompt, thorough, and impartial investigation is needed to bring the assailants to justice."

Mr. Tskhovrebov is one of several critics that have emerged in South Ossetia since Russia has recognized the independence of the breakaway region after the brief war with Georgia in August 2008.

(Sources: AFP, Human Rights Watch)