Zakharova asked Kadyrov to organize a trip for the Finnish journalist to Chechnya to see the gays there
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova could not hide her irritation when a Finnish journalist asked her today about the situation with gays in Chechnya, calling it her “favorite topic.”
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“This is not my favorite topic, but yours. “Say it straight,” Zakharova snapped.
After that, she found out the name of the journalist and the name of the media that he represents, turned to the camera and said:
“Dear Mr. Kadyrov, we have a Finnish journalist present at our briefing now, who is very interested in the presence or absence of gays in Chechnya. The question, of course, is in the wrong place. This is not a question for the Foreign Ministry. Could you organize directly for this journalist a study tour to the Chechen Republic, where he can find answers to all his questions.”
She then accused the journalist of politicizing the human rights issue.
“I think I have now done everything that depends on me. Go to the Chechen Republic, talk to representatives of non-governmental organizations, government organizations, local journalists, public figures and make a normal report. Why are you politicizing this topic? Come to the Foreign Ministry and start talking about your favorite topic. I understand that she is my favorite, but there is Chechnya, go there and write a good article. Why do you need me?” Zakharova said.
The journalist replied that he had already interviewed gays who fled from Chechnya to Moscow.
“If you took the first step, take the second. Go to Chechnya. Chat with people on the spot. I'm not saying that you won't find something on your favorite topic there. But the investigation should be carried out not within the walls of the Foreign Ministry, but directly on the spot. We have given you accreditation. Government officials cannot refuse to provide you with information. Why don't you use this? Mr. Kadyrov will not refuse you,” Zakharova said.
The journalist muttered that this is a sore subject for Russia.
“Sick for you? She has nothing to do with me. The politicization of this topic is a rather strange story,” Zakharova retorted.
She did not forget about the Finn until the very end of her press conference and before leaving she addressed him again:
“So are you going? All that's left to do is get ready. You're not afraid, are you? This is all serious, no jokes. We are directly engaged in sending you to Chechnya,” she suggested.
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