Russia: Tatar activist under investigation for praising Orlando massacre
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 17 June 2016 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Russia: Tatar activist under investigation for praising Orlando massacre, 17 June 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/57a43bd615.html [accessed 1 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
June 17, 2016
Ramil Ibragimov (right) takes a photo with Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev.
A youth activist in Russia's Tatarstan region is under investigation for publicly supporting the mass killing of 49 people in Orlando, Florida.
The Investigative Committee's branch in Tatarstan said on June 17 that Ramil Ibragimov, 35, was facing charges of making "public calls for terrorism and justifying terrorist activities."
Ibragimov, who is the head of Tatarstan's Union of Young Leaders of Innovation, placed a post on Instagram on June 14 that supported the killing of "fags."
Using very vulgar language, Ibragimov, said he was sorry that 53 wounded survivors of the mass shooting "did not croak," adding that he hopes that "all of them will bite the dust soon."
"The Union of Young Leaders of Innovation sincerely supports this convincing action!" Ibragimov wrote.
On June 12, an American with Afghan roots, Omar Mateen, shot dead 49 people at a gay nightclub in Orlando.
Mateen was killed by police at the scene.
During the shooting spree, Mateen called emergency services and pledged his allegiance to the Islamic State militant group.
In his Instagram post Ibragimov called Mateen "a straight Afghan fella."
Based on reporting by TASS and Interfax
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
