Murdered Russian LGBT activist is suspected victim of gay-hunting website
Yelena Grigoryeva was a victim of a website for hunting gay people. (Dinar Idrisov/ Facebook)
Russian LGBT+ activist Yelena Grigoryeva was found dead in St. Petersburg with multiple stab wounds and signs of strangulation, and it is believed she was targeted by a website designed to “hunt” gay people.
The website promoted a twisted “game,” based on the Saw horror movie franchise, encouraging users to upload the details of LGBT+ people, including photos and addresses, for others to find and attack.
The site was taken down by authorities last week (July 20) after more than a year online, but just days before her death, Grigoryeva had posted a warning about the website on her Facebook page saying that it had been blocked before and kept reappearing.
According to Russian website Fontanka, her body was found on the night of July 21 near her home, and authorities have detained “a 40-year-old resident of Bashkortostan.”
Yelena Grigoryeva posted a warning about the website on her Facebook page days before her death. (Dinar Idrisov/ Facebook)
There was “no noticeable reaction” when Yelena Grigoryeva and her lawyer approached law enforcement about the violent threats
The Russian LGBT Network said in a Facebook post: “Russian LGBT Network is deeply saddened and expresses condolences to Yelena’s family, friends, and loved ones.
“The Network would like to acknowledge that Grigoryeva’s name has previously appeared on a homophobic website titled “The Saw,” alongside the names of other Russian LGBTQ rights defenders.
“‘We have prepared some brutal and dangerous presents for these LGBTQ activists,’ says the message on the website. It remains unclear who stands behind those threats.”
Grigoryeva’s friend and fellow activist Dinar Idrisov posted on Facebook saying that Grigoryeva had “recently become a victim of violence and had often been threatened by murder.”
He added: “Yelena and her lawyer addressed law enforcement about the violence, and the threats, but there was no noticeable reaction.”
“She asked a friend in case of her death to take care of her cat when she started to be threatened with murder.
“She promised to do it to calm her down, although she did not believe in the realisation of threats.”
Grigoryeva campaigned for LGBT+ rights in Russia, demonstrated against inhumane treatment of prisoners and advocated for other human rights issues.
