On Tuesday, November 7th, the group Voices For Chechnya protested outside the Russian Consulate in NYC, demanding  an immediate investigation into the disappearance of Chechen pop star Zelimkhan Bakaev.

As reported here last month multiple sources claim that Russian singer Zelimkhan Bakaev was arrested, tortured, and murdered by by Chechen authorities due to suspicion of homosexuality.”

Bakaev was last seen on August 8 in Grozny, where he had come from Moscow for his sister’s wedding and has not been seen since.

Via Press Release:

Voices 4 Chechnya’s action began at Central Park where they marched to the Russian Consulate on 91st Street at 1pm. Approximately 50 activists assembled outside the consulate. Voices 4 Chechnya activists held large signs with portraits of Zelimkhan Bakaev, as well as a banner which asked, “Where is Zelimkhan Bakaev?” Chants included “No Murder, No Hate, Russia Investigate, Gays In Chechnya Can Not Wait” and “When Gay Chechens Are Under Attack, What Do We Do, Stand Up Fight Back”.

Voices 4 Chechnya believes that non-violent, direct action activism is integral to the fight for human dignity and equality for all. And everyone, no matter who they are or whom they love, is entitled to live without fear. We will not stand by as the Chechen Republic orders and encourages the capture, torture, and death of its own LGBTQ+ people.

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