Hilary Swank got embroiled in a human rights outcry following her recent controversial visit to Chechnya and she is still battling the backlash.

The Oscar winning actress appears on the cover of the December/January issue of Gotham Magazine, and inside she attempts to explain her mistake by claiming she was there on a peaceful mission and didn't do enough research before accepting an overseas invitation.

“In this case, a Turkish real estate company invited me to help promote peace by celebrating the rebuilding of a war-torn city and meeting people who were rebuilding their lives," Swank revealed in an interview conducted by fellow actress, Mariska Hargitay.

Hilary Swank made a huge amount of money from her recently criticized attendance at an event also attended by the brutal leader of Chechnya - RadarOnline.com has exclusively learned!

After receiving flak for her appearance, the two-time Academy Award winning actress apologized for attending the event with Ramzan Kadyrov, the Chechen leader who is accused of murder, torture and abductions by human rights groups.

Hilary Swank says she’s sorry.

The two-time Academy Award winning actress apologized on Thursday for attending an event with Ramzan Kadyrov, the brutal leader of Chechnya who is accused of murder, torture and abductions by human rights groups.

“I deeply regret attending this event, which has thrown into question my long and deeply-held commitment to the protection of human rights,” Swank said in a statement to RadarOnline.com.  “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.”