Rights defenders claim life threat to Chechen gays Isaev and Magamadov

The advocate of Salekh Magamadov and Ismail Isaev did not believe the words of Chechen law enforcers that his clients had been transferred to quarantine, and filed a complaint about the refusal to let him meet his clients. The brothers are in danger, the "Russian LGBT Network"* believes.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that this February law enforcers took out to Chechnya two natives of the republic - Salekh Magamadov, 20, and his brother Ismail. Their advocates achieved state protection for them on the grounds that their relatives had been persuaded to commit an "honour killing". Due to the threat of murder, investigators forbade their meeting with relatives.

On August 13, the court was supposed to hold a hearing of the case of Magamadov and Isaev, but it was cancelled as the defendants were not brought to the court. The advocate, Alexander Nemov, was told that the young men are in quarantine due to COVID-19. The advocate pointed out the implausibility of such an explanation, since both Isaev and Magamadov were kept in solitary cells, and both had been vaccinated.

According to the "Russian LGBT Network"*, a few days earlier the brothers asked for a meeting with the advocate in order to provide him with some information, the "Dozhd" (Rain) TV Channel has reported.

Alexander Nemov, the advocate, has filed a complaint with the prosecutor's office about the refusal to let him visit his clients. This situation has caused concern among human rights defenders for the life and health of the young men, the "Novaya Gazeta" writes with reference to the "Russian LGBT Network"*.