Steven Seagal Chechyna Visit? Actor Planned to Visit Region Following Boston Marathon Bombings (VIDEO)
Steven Seagal planned a trip to Chechnya but it was canceled at the last minute, according to reports out this week.
The trip, however, was part of a congressional visit, and was officially known as CODEL. The trip would have been part of the House committee's investigation into the Boston Marathon bombings earlier this year.
The suspects in the bombings originally grew up in the Kalmykia region of Russia, according to reports, and Seagal is said to have expressed an interest in taking part in the visit with other officials.
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The action actor is reported to have used his connections with Russian President Vladimir Putin to organize the trip, the Daily Beast has reported.
However, even though many things were put in place the trip was eventually canceled at the last minute by lawmakers who allegedly were not comfortable with the arrangements.
Rep. Dana Rohrabacher's spokeswoman has explained, "The CODEL's visit to Chechnya was facilitated by Steven Seagal. He has an established friendship with Putin and others in the Russian government and assisted in accommodating the CODEL's request to visit the region."
According to ANI, the delegation that was scheduled to travel to the region included Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Calif.), Reps. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.), Bill Keating (D-Mass), Steve King (R-Iowa), Paul Cook (R-Calif.), and Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.).
Seagal and Putin have developed a close relationship over the years, and the actor visited Russia earlier this year to help Putin open a martial arts center.
A spokesperson for the Russian president has said, "Putin and Seagal have long been friends, and they regularly meet each other."
Here is a video of Steven Seagal's visit to Russia and Vladimir Putin earlier this year:
