Hilary Swank "Deeply Regrets" Attending Bash for Brutal Chechen Leader
Credit: Stefania D'Alessandro/Getty Images
Swank sure is sorry.
Two-time Oscar winner Hilary Swank came under fire on Tuesday when it was revealed that she was among the attendees at a birthday concert on Oct. 5 for Ramzan Kadyrov, a Kremlin-backed Chechen leader accused of torture, abductions and murder by human rights groups.
"I deeply regret attending this event," Swank, 37, said in a statement to The Associated Press on Thursday. "If I had a full understanding of what this event was apparently intended to be, I would never have gone."
The Boys Don't Cry wasn't the only celeb at Kadyrov's extravagant, 35th birthday bash in Grozny, the provincial capital of Chechyna; action movie legend Jean Claude Van Damme, violinist Vanessa Mae and a slew of Russian stars were also on hand. Van Damme and Mae have yet to address the scandal.
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During the elaborate party, Swank said she was inspired by the Chechen government's "passion to make peace and to make something beautiful."
A former separatist rebel, Kadyrov has bragged that he killed a Russian soldier at age 15; his many rivals and critics have been violently murdered and harassed throughout Europe over the past several years, though he has denied involvement.
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In her statement, Swank said she had no idea the over-the-top party was to be held in Kadyrov's honor.
Despite Swank's claims, the Human Rights Foundation told TheWrap.com that it sent a letter to the actress in September -- warning her of Kadyrov's alleged crimes. Swank's rep allegedly replied back, explaining she didn't plan to attend the bash.
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7ooooops! fumble. This just goes to show that even celebrities can make mistakes.
I would pretend to be someone's friend if they paid me too.
I would pretend to be someone's friend if they paid me too.
These celebs like to spout off and tell us what we should be doing and look just how stupid they really are!!!
Hahahaha UHHHH....might have wanted to get that little piece of info before you went.
Stupid celebrities, all interested in attention and money. She sounds like an idiot.
I respect Ms. Swank as an actor and, according to her interviews, I thought she is a smart person, but this statement is pathetic. She didn't know what this event was for? Come on.