Hilary Swank on Chechnya appearance: "Shame on me"

Hilary Swank has apologised for attending controversial Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov's birthday party.

The Oscar winner was criticised for attending Kadryov's lavish celebration in Grozny alongside Jean-Claude Van Damme and violinist Vanessa-Mae in October.

The Human Rights Foundation likened Swank's appearance in Chechnya to supporting an Apartheid regime, while Human Rights Watch condemned her for legitimising a leader who has been accused of numerous human rights abuses.

Swank has since apologised for attending Kadryov's party and has vowed to donate her fee to charity.

She discussed the controversy during an interview on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on Friday, telling Jay Leno that she didn't do enough "research" prior to the event.

"The thing is, human rights organizations had reached out to warn me before I went, but I did not get those warnings," Swank revealed to Leno.

The star later added: "Shame on me. The bottom line is, I should know where I'm going and I should do better research."



Swank also promised that she will work with Human Rights Watch in the future to become more informed on world issues.

The New Year's Eve actress was apparently dropped by her PR company in the wake of the Chechnya scandal.

New Year's Eve opens in UK cinemas on December 8 and in US cinemas on December 9.

> Hilary Swank to lead uprising in comic book film Shrapnel

Watch a trailer for New Year's Eve below: