“Freedom House is founded on the core conviction that freedom flourishes in democratic nations where governments are accountable to their people”. In response to the detention of two LGBT+ persons by Chechen authorities with the help of Russia, Freedom House released the following statement:

 “When Russian authorities detained and delivered Salekh Magamadov and Ismail Isayev to the Chechen security services, they demonstrated their complete disregard to the rights of citizens and the arbitrariness of justice in Russia, especially as it concerns Chechnya and particularly when it targets members of the LGBT+ community,” said Marc Behrendt, director of Europe and Eurasia programs at Freedom House. “That fully three days passed between their detention and transfer to Chechnya and the opening of a terrorism investigation demonstrates the illegitimacy of the entire operation, and the complete disregard the Russian authorities have for their well-being.” 

“Salekh Magamadov and Ismail Isayev are in grave danger in Chechnya. Freedom House demands the two should immediately be examined by independent health professionals and receive unfettered access to their lawyers per the ruling of the European Court of Human Rights.”

Read the full release here for the background.