UK Gov: Chechnya’s leader wants LGBT people “eliminated” by Ramadan

The UK’s deputy foreign secretary believes that the head of Chechnya may be planning to “eliminate” LGBT people from the Russian republic in the coming weeks.

The chilling claim follows reports, verified by numerous sources and victims, that the Chechen authorities are in the midst of a campaign to round up gay men, who are then detained in secret facilities, tortured and in some cases killed.

On Thursday, Sir Alan Duncan, Deputy Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, told the UK Parliament: “Human rights groups report that these anti-gay campaigns and killings are orchestrated by the head of the Chechen republic, Ramzan Kadyrov.”

“He has carried out other violent campaigns in the past, and this time he is directing his efforts at the LGBT community.”

Duncan, who is himself gay, went on to add: “Sources have said that he wants the [LGBT] community eliminated by the start of Ramadan”.

He condemned the persecution and called on the authorities “to promptly investigate and ensure that the perpetrators of human rights abuses are brought to justice”.

It is believed that around 100 men have been detained in the “anti-gay purge” in the predominantly Muslim region, with at least four fatalities claimed. The Russian LGBT Network says that it has been contacted by 60 victims.

“Some of these people are still in the area and are in need of urgent evacuation, while others have managed to relocate themselves but nevertheless need further assistance. More than 30 people have already been provided with support,” said the organisation.

“Among those who have applied to us for help, there are two victims of the persecutions, with whom we suddenly lost contact for unknown reasons.”

Numerous victims have reported that they were tortured with electricity, beaten, abused and forced to disclose the identities of other LGBT people.

This week, Kadyrov met with Russian president Vladimir Putin and used the opportunity to deny the allegations of an anti-LGBT campaign.

He lashed out at the “provocative articles about the Chechen Republic, the supposed events… the supposed detentions…” Putin did not comment on the remarks, suggesting that he was in agreement with Kadyrov.