Budanov was sentenced to 10 years in prison for killing 18-year-old Elza Kungayeva in Chechnya in 2000. An Ulyanovsk region court last month ordered his early release in a controversial decision that sparked protests in Chechnya.
He was to be released Friday, but Stanislav Markelov, a lawyer for Kungayeva's family, filed a complaint over the ruling, Interfax said.
Budanov has always maintained he believed Kungayeva was a rebel sniper and strangled her in a fit of rage during an interrogation. He has become a rallying figure for Russian nationalists.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.