Hilary Swank: ‘I Deeply Regret’ Attending Event With Chechen President
Oct. 13 2011, Published 11:30 a.m. ET
Senior RadarOnline.com Reporter
Hilary Swank says she’s sorry.
The two-time Academy Award winning actress apologized on Thursday for attending an event with Ramzan Kadyrov, the brutal leader of Chechnya who is accused of murder, torture and abductions by human rights groups.
“I deeply regret attending this event, which has thrown into question my long and deeply-held commitment to the protection of human rights,” Swank said in a statement to RadarOnline.com. “I would never intentionally do anything that raised doubts about such commitment. I will continue to donate my time and my financial resources not only to the charities with which I am currently affiliated, but also those dedicated to the preservation of human rights.”
The 37-year-old actress attended the opening of a residential and commercial complex in Grozny City on October 5 and according to her rep she decided to attend the opening “because the construction project was described to her as a symbol of hope for the people of Chechnya, a region that had been devastated by war. Specifically, she was advised that the project was instrumental in the creation of jobs and other opportunities for the people of Chechnya.”
Once Swank arrived at the event she was asked to wish Kadyrov a happy birthday and “not wanting to be rude, she obliged.”
She says that she was unaware of the allegations made by human rights groups about the Chechen president’s alleged atrocities.
However, according to The Wrap the Human Rights Foundation said they sent Swank a letter in September detailing Kadyrov’s past crimes.
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