Romanian businessman Cshibi Istvan, who had been freed from jail in September and who went on hunger strike on Thursday, was hospitalized on Friday after being beaten by an unknown individual during the night.

The individual entered the tent where hunger striking Csibi Istvan was sleeping in the central Romanian city of Miercurea Ciuc and beat him. The businessman was hospitalized in serious condition at an emergency hospital in the city.

Csibi Istvan had been placed under preventive arrest under a series of charges including money laundering. He was freed some two weeks ago. On Thursday, he started a hunger strike protesting for an "independent, unbiased justice" and installed a tent in the area of Miercurea Ciuc where is firm was headquartered.

Csibi Istvan was indicted in March 2008 by prosecutors dealing with organised crime, under charges of economic crimes. 17 other people were indicted along Csibi Istvan in the case.