Head of Russian nationalist organization resigns

The leader of the Russian extreme right wing organization, the Movement Against Illegal Immigration, has resigned Russian website Lenta.ru reports.

“Today, at 13.00 Moscow time, my decision to quit as a leader of Movement Against Illegal Immigration came into an effect.” Alexander Belov told Interfax.

According to Belov’s speech, he decided to resign because of a lawsuit against him for incitement of ethnic hatred. Under Russian law if Belov is found guilty and remains leader of the movement, the organization will automatically be considered an illegal extremist organization.

“I do not want to let my brothers-in-arms down. I’m sure that they will never denounce me. That is the reason for my resignation.” Alexander Belov said.  

The movement has announced that it will pass control over to a panel of seven men.

The Russian Court has opened a criminal case against Belov for incitement of ethnic hatred. He offended many members of ethnic minorities by staging a nationalist ‘Russian March’ in 2007. Belov has also been accused of goading protesters to chant anti-Semitic and antiauthority slogans. The criminal case opened on October 2008. According to the website’s information, the lawsuit is in closing stage.