Putin Spokesman: "We Do Not Have Any Reliable Information" On Torture Of Gay Men In Chechnya

Russian President Vladimir Putin

As the world continues to respond in outrage over reports that over 100 gay men have been rounded up, beaten and tortured in Chechnya, a spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin denies any knowledge of horrific crimes.

“We do not have any reliable information about any problems in this area” in the Chechen Republic, Putin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists on Friday.

Chechnya is a federal subject of Russia, and it's leader - Ramzan Kadyrov - is a close ally of Putin.

In 2009, the American organization Freedom House included Chechnya in the "Worst of the Worst" list of most repressive societies in the world. Torture and executions are not uncommon in the Chechen Republic.