Moscow City Court rejects appeal against arrest of journalist Sushchenko (updated)

Journalist Roman Tsymbaliuk posted this on Twitter.

"The Moscow City Court rejected appeal against the arrest of Ukrinform correspondent Roman Sushchenko," he wrote.

Sushchenko’s lawyer Mark Feygin confirmed this information on Twitter: "The appeal against arrest was rejected. Sushchenko left in custody."

As Feygin informed earlier, the court hearing was held behind closed doors as the Russia’s Federal Security service sees a state secret in the case.

As reported, Ukrinform Ukrainian national news agency correspondent in France Roman Sushchenko was arrested in Moscow on September 30, where he was on a private visit. He was accused of espionage, allegedly being a member of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry. The Ukrainian Main Intelligence Directorate denied allegations of Russian Federal Security Service.

The court ruled at its closed hearing on October 1 to arrest the journalist for two months – until November 30.

October 7, the Russian Federation officially charged the Ukrainian journalist with spying. Sushchenko denies any guilt.

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