"Russian LGBT Network" reports new wave of detentions and killings of gays in Chechnya

Since late December 2018, in Chechnya, about 40 people were detained for their supposed or actual sexual orientation, and two persons were killed, the "Russian LGBT Network" reports today.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on January 11, the newspaper "Novaya Gazeta" reported on a new wave of persecution of gays in Chechnya.

Since late December 2018, Chechnya faces a new wave of detentions of men and women related to their supposed or actual sexual orientation. About 40 people were detained, and two persons were killed, reports the release of the "Russian LGBT Network", received by the "Caucasian Knot" on January 14.

It is impossible to specify the exact number of victims, notes Igor Kochetkov, the director of the "Russian LGBT Network" projects.

"It is known that about 40 people were detained, including both men and women. At least two detainees died as a result of torture. We also know that detentions are carried out by law enforcers and the victims are illegally kept in Argun," said Igor Kochetkov as quoted by the authors of the "Russian LGBT Network" release.

According to the authors of the release, starting from April 2017, the "Russian LGBT Network" evacuated from the region about 150 people and more than 130 people left Russia.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on January 14, 2019 at 09:00 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.