Stavropol activist complains about persecutions due to his sexual orientation

Artyom Shitukhin, the chairman of the "Solidarity" LGBT Movement, has linked his dismissal from the higher school with his efforts to draw attention to the discrimination of gays in Chechnya; he also stated constant threats received by him.

On November 10, 2018, the "Novaya Gazeta" newspaper reported about another wave of persecutions of gays in Chechnya. According to the Russian LGBT Network, from the end of last December, about 40 people were detained in Chechnya for their sexual orientation; two persons were killed.

After filing a notification about a rally in support of LGBTs, law enforcers demanded from Shitukhin to abandon the idea, otherwise he "would have problems at his higher school." The activist is forced to hide because of persecutions, the Radio Liberty has reported.

Artyom also noted that at his higher school they demanded from him to another educational establishment, since his activities "have bad effects on the school reputation."

According to Mr Shitukhin, his "Solidarity" is engaged in providing psychological and legal help to the LGBT community of Pyatigorsk.

He also said that he received threats in social networks and instant messengers. He is not sure that he will return to Pyatigorsk.