MOSCOW. Dec 18 (Interfax) - The defense of Ivan Safronov, a journalist and advisor to the Roscosmos head indicted on treason counts, will appeal the extension of his arrest in a cassation court.
"The Moscow City Court has upheld the Lefortovsky District Court's ruling, according to which Ivan will remain in custody until March 2021. Clearly, we disagree with the ruling and will appeal to a higher tier court, a cassation procedure is pending," Safronov's lawyer, head of the Team 29 human rights association Ivan Pavlov told the press after the Moscow City Court met on Thursday.
The defense has failed to achieve Safronov's release from custody and to receive explanations of the charges brought against him in July 2020, Pavlov said. He noted that the indictment did not say exactly what Safronov was accused of.
The Moscow City Court upheld the extension of Safronov's arrest as lawful on Thursday.
He will stay incarcerated till March 7. 2021.
The court met in camera, considering that materials in the criminal proceeding are classified.