Report: Chechen Authorities Arresting and Killing Gay Men

Head of the Republic of Chechnya Ramzan Kadyrov. The Kremlin

New York Times: Chechen Authorities Arresting and Killing Gay Men, Russian Paper Says

MOSCOW — First, two television reporters vanished. Then a waiter went missing. Over the past week, men ranging in age from 16 to 50 have disappeared from the streets of Chechnya.

On Saturday, a leading Russian opposition newspaper confirmed a story already circulating among human rights activists: The Chechen authorities were arresting and killing gay men.

While abuses by security services in the region, where Russia fought a two-decade war against Islamic insurgents, have long been a stain on President Vladimir V. Putin’s human rights record, gay people had not previously been targeted on a wide scale.

The men were detained “in connection with their nontraditional sexual orientation, or suspicion of such,” the newspaper, Novaya Gazeta, reported, citing Russian federal law enforcement officials, who blamed the local authorities.

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WNU Editor: Chechen authorities are denying these reports .... Chechen authorities deny media report on 'mass detentions' of gays (RT). As to what is my take on this story .... I learned a long time ago to not trust what happens in Chechnya .... and to always be very skeptical on all news that comes out from Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov's government.

More News On Reports That Chechen Authorities Are Arresting and Killing Gay Men

Report: Chechnya police arrest 100 alleged gays, 3 killed -- AP
Chechen police 'have rounded up more than 100 suspected gay men' -- The Guardian
Authorities Reportedly Detaining and Killing Gay Men in Chechnya -- Slate
Gay Men Are Being Rounded Up And Killed In Chechnya: Report -- Huffington Post
Chechnya Gay Killings & Roundups: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know -- Heavy.com