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Nationalists plan 'Russian March' in Moscow on March 1

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MOSCOW, February 6 (RIA Novosti) - Russian nationalist groups aim to hold a "Russian March" in Moscow on March 1 in support of the Russian army in Chechnya and an ex-officer convicted of murder in the republic, the organizers said on Friday.

The as-yet unsanctioned rally, which organizers hope will bring together around 2,000 members of the Slavic Union and the Movement Against Illegal Immigration, is slated to be held near the Ostankino Television Tower, in northeast Moscow.

"This will be a march of memory and mourning devoted to Russian paratroopers from Pskov [in the north-west of Russia] who died in Chechnya...The action will be also held in support of Budanov and against his persecution currently underway in Chechnya," said Dmitry Dyomushkin, leader of the Slavic Union.

Dyomushkin said he planned to file an application with the mayor's office on Monday for permission to hold the rally.

Budanov, who commanded a tank regiment during the second military campaign in Chechnya, was convicted in the summer of 2003 of strangling 18-year-old Elsa Kungayeva three years earlier and was sentenced to 10 years in jail. He was released on parole on January 15.

Four days after his release, Stanislav Markelov, who represented Kungayeva's family, was shot dead in downtown Moscow. Novaya Gazeta journalist Baburova, 25, who was with him, was wounded in the shooting and died in hospital.

Budanov was accused in some quarters of having been behind the assassination. In the appeal against Budanov's release, Markelov claimed the former officer "was still threatening the Kungayev family."

Budanov has flatly denied the allegations saying the killing was aimed at "fueling tensions between Russians and Chechens."

The last Russian March was held on December 12, the country's Constitution Day. The event was sanctioned by Moscow authorities and held without any incidents. Dyomushkin has said he wants to hold the rallies four times a year.

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