Two LGBT Men in Russia Reportedly Kidnapped by Chechen Police

What Happened?

Recently, two gay men in Russia were taken by Chechen security officials. The two men (Salekh Magamadov, 20, and Ismail Isteyev, 17) were kidnapped on February 4 from a safe house outside Moscow. Chechnya’s government had previously tortured the two men before being given safety by The Russian LGBT Network. According to the charity The Russian LGBT Network, one of the men had made a panicked call before being taken by Chechnya police.

They had originally been brought to be witnesses and have since been charged with complicity with illegal arms groups. They remain in Chechnya police’s custody.

What is Chechnya?

Chechnya is a semi-autonomous nation a part of the Russian federation. It borders Russia and serves as a point of contention for Putin. Their constitution states they are an inseparable part of Russia, but they operate relatively freely. It has served as a point of contention for Russian sovereignty and has a history of violence against the Russian state in bids for independence.

Chechnya’s Previous Attacks Against the LGBT Community

Chechnya has been condemned in the past for anti-LGBT actions. In 2017, they were exposed for carrying out anti-LGBT purges where many queer people were tortured, taken, and murdered by Chechnya’s government. Due to groups including Voices4 and Adam Eli — under the pretext that queers anywhere are responsible for queers everywhere — the UN human rights council convened, and many countries condemned the purges in Chechnya.

What Can You Do to Help?

1: Email InfoDesk@ohchr.org requesting the UN human rights council take action

2: Donate to The Russian LGBT Network

3: Share this article