When news originally broke of the gay "purge" happening in Chechnya, it quickly became the number one concern for the global LGBTQ community. Tales of kidnappings, torture and concentration camp-style facilities quickly flew from the region from brave reporters and survivors of the government-enacted programs.
Related | CNN Interviews Gay Men Tortured In Chechnya
Now its reported that Chechen officials have resumed the arrests of gay men. According to Enrique Torre Molina of All Out, the Russian LGBT network has been contacted by Chechens saying the arrests have begun anew.
"Nearly 100 days ago, news broke of Chechnya's anti-gay purge," Molina said 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 barley alive, with their captors encouraging relatives to carry out honour killings."
Related | Sec. of State Rex Tillerson Didn't Bring Up Chechnya's Gay Purge in Meetings with Russia
He continued, saying, "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."
This news comes during Donald Trump's overseas visit, during which a meeting with Putin took place. It was demanded of Trump that he bring up the horror stories of Chechnya during that meeting, but considering Secretary of State Rex Tillerson didn't bring it up during his meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, it's doubtful Trump would say anything.
