{
  "id": 3086517,
  "title": "Trans man from Chechnya found dead in Batumi; relatives suspect he was killed",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/trans-man-from-chechnya-found-dead-in-batumi-relatives-suspect-he-was",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-24T18:58:40.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Meduza (English)",
    "slug": "meduza-english",
    "url": "https://meduza.io/en/news/2026/08/24/trans-man-from-chechnya-found-dead-in-batumi-relatives-suspect-he-was-killed"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Dmitry Menyaev, a 21-year-old ethnic Chechen man, was found dead in his apartment in Batumi, Georgia on August 15, 2025. The cause of his death remains unclear, as he had been last seen online on August 3. Neighbors had complained of a strong smell, prompting emergency responders to enter the apartment. Lawyers for Menyaev's family, Zviad Markoidze, revealed that the victim was a member of the LGBTQ+ community. The investigation has been opened for incitement to suicide, but his family suspects that he may have been killed due to honor killing or transphobia. They believe that relatives from his Chechen side, unaware of his transition, may have committed the act under the belief that he \"needed to get married.\" Signs of forced entry and violent marks were discovered in the apartment. Recently, several cases of Chechen women who fled domestic violence in Georgia have been reported, including Laura Avtorkhanova in July 2025 and Aishat Baimuradova in the fall of 2025. Both cases involved relatives attempting to locate and kidnap the women, with some victims being killed by those close to the Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov. Meduza, the news outlet reporting this story, follows strict editorial standards and ensures transparency in the use of AI in their journalism.",
  "summary": "Dmitry Menyaev, a 21-year-old ethnic Chechen who was born in Russia and moved to Georgia in 2022, was found dead in his apartment in Batumi on August 15, according to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s Russian service.",
  "key_points": [
    "Dmitry Menyaev, 21, found dead in Batumi on August 15, 2025",
    "Neighbors reported foul smell, leading to emergency response",
    "Family suspects honor killing or transphobia, not suicide"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}