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Ruling Giving Mirzayev Bail Nixed by Court After Appeal

An appellate panel on Tuesday overturned a decision to free mixed martial arts fighter Rasul Mirzayev on bail, news agency Rapsi reported.

A Moscow court ruled that Mirzayev, who is accused of manslaughter in the death of a 19-year-old man, could be freed on bail Monday on the grounds that his original charge — assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm — was replaced with a lesser one last month.

The bail had been set for 100,000 rubles ($3,300).

Earlier Tuesday, nationalists announced plans for a rally called "Mirzayev Should Be Imprisoned" for Saturday to protest the court's decision to free the Dagestan native, Rosbalt reported.

The head of the court's press service told Rapsi on Tuesday that the appellate panel found several procedural violations in Monday's decision.

Mirzayev's lawyer Alexei Grebensky said he would use all legal avenues to reverse the new decision.

"We think that today's decision is baseless and will appeal according to established legal procedures," he said.

In August, Ivan Agafonov and Mirzayev got into a fight at the Garage nightclub after Agafonov allegedly started flirting with Mirzayev's girlfriend. Mirzayev punched Agafonov in the head, causing him to fall and hit his head on the pavement. The 19-year-old was hospitalized in critical condition and died four days later.

A previous request for bail by Mirzayev that was backed by lawmakers from Dagestan, members of the State Duma and a number of sports stars was denied in August.

On Jan. 12, the charge was reduced to manslaughter, a crime that carries a maximum sentence of two years' imprisonment.

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