Authorities invite “Novaya Gazeta” journalists to apologize to Chechens for articles about gays

By their articles on sex minorities, journalists of the “Novaya Gazeta” have insulted the Chechen people, said Djambulat Umarov, the Chechen Minister for national policy, external relations, press and information. Some residents of Chechnya agree with Umarov, but among those, interviewed by the "Caucasian Knot", there are also people, who are concerned about the persecutions of homosexuals in the region.

Earlier, on April 1, the “Novaya Gazeta” published Elena Milashina's article about mass detentions and murders in Chechnya of men suspected of non-traditional sexual orientation.

Minister Umarov stated his readiness to meet the staff of “Novaya Gazeta”, but after the journalists apologize to the Chechen people. According to his version, "referring to fictitious sources, under the guise of enjoying the right to the freedom of speech," journalists "have crossed the line."

The TASS News Agency reports that earlier Adam Shakhidov, the adviser to the head of Chechnya on religious matters, threatened to sue the “Novaya Gazeta” for libel.

The "Caucasian Knot" correspondent has cleared out that physical executions of LGBT-activists in Chechnya were known long before the publication of the "Novaya Gazeta".

Residents of Chechnya say that several months ago suspected killings of men of non-traditional sexual orientation were discussed in the republic. The Imam of one of the mosques of the Grozny District was named among those killed.

Some local residents do not believe that there are homosexuals in Chechnya at all.

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