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LOS ANGELES, Oct. 13 (UPI) -- Hollywood actress Hilary Swank has publicly apologized for attending a birthday party for Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov. Swank, who won Oscars for her work in "Million Dollar Baby" and "Boys Don't Cry," was criticized this week by human-rights groups who said Swank and fellow film star Jean-Claude Van Damme shouldn't have attended the Oct. 5 celebration for a leader accused of the torture, abductions and slaying of his critics and enemies.
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"I deeply regret attending this event, which has thrown into question my long and deeply held commitment to the protection of human rights," E! News reported she said in a statement issued Thursday morning.
"I would never intentionally do anything that raised doubts about such commitment. I will continue to donate my time and my financial resources not only to the charities with which I am currently affiliated, but also those dedicated to the preservation of human rights. If I had a full understanding of what this event was apparently intended to be, I would never have gone."
Kevin Costner, Shakira and Eva Mendes were also invited to the event but did not attend.
