Chechnya: Names of 27 men slaughtered and buried in bloody night revealed as gay purge continues
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The names of 27 people slaughtered in a single night by Chechen authorities have been published.
The secret mass execution is thought to have seen up to 56 people killed – all without trial.
Novaya Gazeta, a newspaper based in the region, has published the list of names it claims President Ramzan Kadyrov’s government killed.
Petition: Russian authorities: Stop the persecution of gay men in Chechnya
The executions were all carried out in Chechnya’s capital, Grozny, on the night of 25 January, the newspaper claims.
According to the strongly anti-Putin publication, mass arrests and executions in the Muslim region were triggered by the killing of a policeman on 16 December 2016.
It reports that the victims were shot without trial, then the bodies were “taken to various cemeteries, including Christian ones, where they were buried in hastily dug graves”.
The Russian LGBT Network confirmed that a number of the men killed were gay and bisexual, but some are believed to be heterosexual.
“As far as we know, the information in the Novaya Gazeta regarding 27 people being killed is true,” a representative for the group said.
“With regards to the sexual orientation of those killed, as far as we know there are homosexual people in this list, but not all of them at all.”
The outlet has spent months investigating illegal detentions in the area.
The same newspaper broke the story that the region is rounding up and persecuting gay people earlier this year.
Explaining its reasons for publishing the harrowing list of 27 names, the paper wrote: “Two months we had hoped for cooperation at the very beginning [of the investigation]to be effective.
“Today it is obvious that the Investigative Committee of Russia is losing ground on this situation…
“That is why we publish the list of those who, according to our information, were victims of the worst possible extrajudicial executions in Grozny.
“And now the investigation, which has a lack of living of witnesses, will have to deal with the special witnesses.
“Because only the dead have nothing to fear in Chechnya.”
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Russia’s President Vladimir Putin (L) shakes hands with Chechnya’s head Ramzan Kadyrov
The Chechen government has denied allegations of a gay purge in the region, despite many victims coming forward to reveal their ordeals.
European leaders Angela Merkel and Emmanuel Macron have both raised the issue publicly during meetings with Vladimir Putin, and the UK government has also expressed concerns.
Activists in Russia say Chechen authorities have re-started the detaining of gay and bi men following on from a “gay purge” this year.
Now, according to Enrique Torre Molina of All Out, Chechens have contacted the Russian LGBT Network hotline to say that arrests are again being made once again.
“Nearly 100 days ago, news broke of Chechnya’s anti-gay purge,” said Molina in a statement.
“Over 100 men were hunted down, arrested, imprisoned, and tortured by state authorities, because they were believed to be gay.
“At least 6 were murdered. Others were returned to their families barely alive, with their captors encouraging relatives to carry out honour killings.”
“The Russian LGBT Network and All Out call on G20 leaders to demand that President Putin order a full and immediate end to the arrest of gay men in Chechnya.
“And that G20 leaders pressure President Putin to conduct a full, independent and impartial inquiry into the abuses that have already taken place.”
The ‘concentration camps’ were reportedly set up in February 2017, with gay men being abducted, held prisoner and tortured there.
Two camps were initially reported on, based in the villages of Argun and Tsotsi-Yurt, but further investigations revealed a further four jails for gay people, bringing the total number believed to be in the Chechen Republic up to six.
One was later destroyed and moved to a new location.
These are the 27 men said to have been killed:
Abdulmezhidov Adam Isaevich, born May 27, 1987
Abumuslimov Apti Hasanovic, born June 2, 1989
Abdulkerimov Side Ramzan Ramzanovich, born March 25, 1990
Alimhanov Islam Aliev, born July 6, 1998
Abubakarov Adam Dzhabrailovich, born May 5, 1995
Bergan Ismail Shadidovich born August 19, 1998
Dasaev Adam Ilyasovich, born June 16, 1988
Dzhabayev Zelimhan Hizirovich, born December 18, 1993
Ilyasov Adam Huseynovich, born September 22, 1997
Lugano Rizwan Saeed-Hamzatovich, born September 13, 1987
Malikov Rizwan Agdanovich, born January 6, 1990
Musk ICYE Turpalovich, born July 19, 1988
Muskhanov Temirlan Ahmadovich, born April 28, 1986
Ozdiev Usman Vahaevich, born December 24, 1989
Rashidov Doc Ibrahimovic, born May 30, 1995
Siriev Magomed Musaevich, born February 23, 1993
Soltahmanov Ismail Ezer-Aliyev, born March 30, 1994
Suleymanov Magomed Arbievich, born January 3, 1987
Tuchaev Ahmed Ramzanovich, born February 23, 1987
Habu Khamzat Slaudinovich born February 14, 1993
Khakimov Alvi Aslambekovich, born November 16, 1992
Hamidov Shamil Ahmedovich, born November 14, 1986
Tsikmaev Sultanovich Ayoub, born April 2, 1984
Shapiev Muslim Isaevich, born November 28, 1989
Eskarbiev Sayhan Vahamsoltovich, born May 23, 1992
Yusupov Sahab Marshak, born January 19, 1990
Yusupov Shamhan Shayhovich, born June 17, 1988
