MINSK. Oct 1 (Interfax) - The Naples City Court has so far made no decision regarding Russian citizen incarcerated in Italy Alexander Korshunov, a spokesperson for the Russian embassy in Rome told Interfax on Tuesday.
"On September 30, the Naples City Court held yet another hearing on the case of United Engine Corporation (UEC) Development Director Alexander Korshunov, who was arrested in Naples Airport on August 30. As before, the court met in camera. The court processed the request of Korshunov's lawyers for overruling or changing the measure of his restraint. The decision has yet to be made. It will take more time," the spokesperson said.
The embassy is maintaining contact with Korshunov and his defense team, the spokesperson said.
The spokesman additionally said that Russian diplomats attended the hearing.
The date of the next hearing is unknown.
The U.S. Department of Justice accused Korshunov, who was detained in Naples at the request of Washington, of conspiring to steal a commercial secret. Accusations against Korshunov, 57, and Maurizio Paolo Bianchi, 59, were brought on August 21. Korshunov was apprehended in Naples Airport on August 30 and placed in the Poggioreale Prison.
According to the UEC website, Korshunov is the corporation's development director.
The Russian Foreign Ministry said on September 5 that Russian diplomats had been given access to the prisoner and provided legal support. Later that day, President Vladimir Putin described arrests of Russian citizens in third countries at the request of the United States, including the UEC employee, as a factor aggravating bilateral relations.