Request for Pardon in Slaying Is Withdrawn
From Times Wire Reports
A Russian army colonel convicted of murdering a Chechen woman withdrew his request for a pardon after it drew outrage and protests in Chechnya and opposition from prosecutors and human rights groups, news agencies reported.
Col. Yuri Budanov was convicted in 2003 of the kidnapping and murder of 18-year-old Elza Kungayeva. He said he thought Kungayeva was a rebel sniper.
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