Dear friends,
12 days locked in a blood-soaked cell, beaten repeatedly, threatened and humiliated. Just because I'm gay.
My name is Maxim, and I'm a survivor of the anti-gay purge in Chechnya, where local authorities kidnapped, tortured, and murdered men suspected of being gay or bisexual.
It has been one year since the world first heard about these atrocities. And, to date, no justice has been served.
Russian authorities refuse to launch an investigation that brings these crimes to light. They want the world to forget about Chechnya – but we can't let it happen.
We need to bring this story back to the headlines and tell thousands of people about the horrors I and so many others had to face in Chechnya. This is the time to demand Russian authorities launch an investigation and bring those responsible to justice.
I was released after my family reported my disappearance and friends started a campaign to find me. I could barely crawl when the police let me out.
Many of us had to leave Chechnya to save our lives. Many, like myself, were threatened by authorities to keep us from talking about what happened. And many fear for their families back home if they were to speak out.
That's why I can't stay silent. Because my story is the story of many others.
The crimes we faced in Chechnya need to be heard – and I need your help to make it happen. If thousands of us speak out, we can put pressure on Russian authorities to investigate.
Thanks for going All Out,
Maxim Lapunov
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