A group of seven unknown men raided a Russian activist’s home in St Petersburg last week (17 May). The activist, who wishes to remain anonymous, works as a volunteer for the Russian LGBT Network’s hotline service. The hotline offers LGBTI people in Russia and Chechnya legal, psychological and organizational consultations. The Russian LGBT Network plays an instrumental role in helping LGBTI people escape Chechnya, where it’s illegal to be gay. Reports also emerged over the last two years of Chechen authorities rounding up LGBTI people, then torturing and killing them. Since April 2017, the Russian LGBT Network evacuated around 150 people out of Chechnya. 15 Chechen people are currently under the supervision of the organization.