Attack on Eskerkhanov committed amid homophobia of Chechen Diaspora

The reason of the attack on the Chechen emigrant, Movsar Eskerkhanov, in Germany was a conflict over the money debt, residents of Chechnya believe. The Chechen Diaspora has negative attitude to LGBT people; and this could give confidence to the attacker, human rights defenders assert.

On June 8, Eskerkhanov was attacked in Germany; he received several stab wounds in the stomach and is in grave condition, Igor Kochetkov, the head of the Russian LGBT Network, told the "Caucasian Knot". He explained the attack by a domestic conflict.

The attack on Eskerkhanov caused a resonance in Chechnya, said Lemma, a resident of Grozny.

"People have different attitudes to him; mostly negative, given his statements about belonging to a sex minority," said a man from Grozny.

Fatima, a Chechen activist, said that Eskerkhanov had a conflict with Rubati Mitsaeva, a nurse during the first military campaign in Chechnya, who was seen close to Djokhar Dudaev and other leaders of Ichkeria.

"After Eskerkhanov's escape abroad, she seemed to be taking care of him, but then there was a conflict over money; and there was a very ugly incident with mutual insults," said Adlan, a resident of Chechnya.

Igor Kochetkov is sure that there is no need to strengthen the guarding of other Chechen refugees in Germany. According to his story, LGBT people keep aside from the main Chechen Diaspora and fear their fellow countrymen.

Svetlana Gannushkina, the head of the Civil Assistance Committee, admits that the conflict could be not of domestic character only.