Published: 2024-02-10 by, News Team

Chechen Gay Man's Torture: Thwarted by Armenian Courts Extradition Denial

In a pivotal decision, a court in Yerevan, Armenia, delivered a resounding rejection to Russia's extradition appeal for Salman Mukaev, a Chechen native who endured harrowing torture after being suspected of homosexuality. The ruling, handed down on January 30, marked a significant victory for LGBTQ+ rights advocates.

Salman Mukaev's ordeal began in 2020 when he was apprehended by Chechnya's security forces and subjected to brutal interrogation techniques, a disturbing pattern all too familiar in the region. SK SOS, an organization dedicated to assisting LGBTQ+ individuals in Russia's North Caucasus, documented Mukaev's traumatic experience, revealing the horrors he endured at the hands of authorities.

Under duress, Mukaev was coerced into confessing to a romantic relationship with a male acquaintance. Further, he was compelled to collaborate with the authorities, using online platforms to lure gay men into meetings, subsequently reporting them to law enforcement.

Following his release from detention, Mukaev sought refuge in Armenia, only to find himself ensnared in legal proceedings initiated by Russian authorities. Facing a criminal case and an arrest warrant, his freedom hung in the balance.

The Armenian court's decision to rebuff Russia's extradition request spoke volumes about its recognition of the perilous plight LGBTQ+ individuals face in Chechnya and the broader Russian context. The ruling underscored the inherent risks associated with LGBTQ+ identities in regions where homophobic attitudes persist and discriminatory laws loom large.

Notably, the court cited Russia's designation of the "international LGBT public movement" as an extremist organization, a move criticized for fueling societal hostility and condoning violence against LGBTQ+ individuals.

In a compassionate gesture, the court extended asylum and refugee status to Mukaev, offering him a lifeline in a country where his safety and dignity could be assured. The decision stood as a beacon of hope for persecuted LGBTQ+ communities, signaling a commitment to justice and human rights in the face of oppression and adversity.

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