French LGBT associations file lawsuit against Ramzan Kadyrov

Today, in connection with the information about harassment of gays in the Chechen Republic, three French LGBT associations have filed a lawsuit to the International Criminal Court against Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on April 1, the newspaper "Novaya Gazeta" reported about mass detentions in Chechnya of men suspected of unconventional sexual orientation. Later, the newspaper "Novaya Gazeta" reported with reference to gays persecuted in Chechnya that in Argun, a "secret prison" had been arranged for people with unconventional sexual orientation. According to the "Radio Liberty", another similar prison, where members of sexual minorities are beaten and humiliated, is located in the Chechen village of Tsotsi-Yurt.

The French LGBT associations have accused Ramzan Kadyrov of persecuting people of non-conventional sexual orientation in the territory of the Chechen Republic, Agence France Presse reports today.

In the lawsuit, the LGBT associations "Stop Homophobie", "Mousse" and "Comité Idaho France" act as plaintiffs, the RIA "Novosti" reports.

The LGBT associations believe that in Chechnya, people of non-conventional sexual orientation are subjected to harassment and in this connection, they accuses Ramzan Kadyrov of "genocide." The LGBT associations also state that the Chechen leader "stands behind those persecutions," the new agency "TASS" reports with reference to advocate Etienne Deuyer.

Till present, no comments from officials of the Chechen administration have been available.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.