Hilary Swank Sacks Management Team Following Chechnya Embarrassment

American film actress Hilary Swank has fired her manager after her appearance at a birthday event for Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov earlier this month caused uproar among human rights activists.

Swank sacked Jason Weinberg, her manager for eight years, as well as her management team, according to media reports. She also canned her talent managers Amie Yavor and Josh Lieberman at Creative Artists Agency (CAA) who reportedly arranged made the Chechen engagement.

Weinberg also manages Madonna and Demi Moore.

The appearance at Kadyrov’s bash in Grozny was an embarrassment for the Oscar-winning actress, who subsequently apologized and said she did not know of the Chechen leader’s poor record on human rights.

At least three other western celebrities, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Seal and violinist Vanessa Mae also attended Kadyrov’s 35th birthday party. (Mae reportedly received $500,000)

The activist group Human Rights Watch has declared: Ramzan Kadyrov is linked to a litany of horrific human rights abuses. It's inappropriate for stars to get paid to party with him. It bolsters his image and legitimizes a brutal leader and his regime.”

She also vowed to give the six-figure fee she received from her appearance to various charitable organizations.

However, none of the other celebrities have apologized for attending nor handed over their fees.

On Twitter, Seal wrote: I played music for the Chechen people. I'm a musician and would appreciate if you leave me out of your politics. You sit there under the umbrella of democracy and never once stop to think how it keeps you dry.