Toronto-based charity says it helped 31 LGBT Chechens find asylum in Canada

A Toronto-based charity said Friday it has helped 35 LGBT individuals escape from Chechnya, 31 of whom have now arrived in Canada.

"We have been working on a program with the Canadian government that allowed the entry of persecuted LGBTQ Chechens into the country," Rainbow Railroad executive director Kimahli Powell told CBC News.

• Dozens protest alleged 'systemic detention' and murder of gay, bisexual men in Chechnya
• Canada calls purported killings of gay men in Chechnya 'reprehensible,' calls for Russia probe

Powell said his organization which he says has helped 140 LGBT people escape places of persecution so far this year teamed up with the Russian LGBT Network, who he says established safehouses and communication channels for people in Chechnya wanting to flee. He said Rainbow Railroad handled the evacuations.

In April, allegations of killings, torture and illegal detentions ofLGBTindividuals in the Russian republic prompted condemnation from human rights groups and the Canadian government, with Minister of Foreign Affairs Chrystia Freeland calling the reports of violence and discrimination "reprehensible."

Powellsaid the Canadian government played "a major role" in the development of the program.

He said he went to Russiain May to meet withLGBTpeople seeking asylumand established a partnership with Ottawa.

"We began immediate conversations with [LGBTQ2]Special AdviserRandy Boissonnaultand began conversations with Global Affairs Canada," he said, adding both Freeland andMinister of ImmigrationAhmed Hussenwere interested in the program.

Powell did not disclose the nature of the evacuations or the extent of the government's involvement.

"So far, we are pleased with this partnership," he said. "But we expect this is not the end."

Powellsaidthere are about 40Chechensstill in safehouses waiting to leave Russia, and that his organization is also shifting focus to help the refugees resettle.

"Canada remains the best and safest option for many of the individuals," he said.

Founded in 2006, Rainbow Railroad says on its websitethat its mission is to"seek safe haven from state-enabled violence, murder or persecution" of LGBT people.