MOSCOW, August 28 - RAPSI. The Moscow City Court has extended until November 31 the arrest of Rustam Makhmudov, who has been charged with murdering journalist Anna Politkovskaya, his attorney Darya Trenina told the Russian Legal Information Agency (RAPSI/rapsinews.com) Tuesday. She added that her client will appeal the ruling.

In connection with Politkovskaya's death, Makhmudov has been charged with murder, illegal arms trafficking, leaving a person in danger, and obstructing the right to freedom of conscience and religious worship.

Politkovskaya was renowned for her investigative journalism on human rights issues in Chechnya. She was killed in Moscow on October 7, 2006. Investigators believe her murder was related to her work.

Six people are suspects in the case - former police officer Dmitry Pavlyuchenkov, Chechen-born Lom-Ali Gaitukayev, former police officer Sergei Kadzhikurbanov and the Makhmudov brothers, one of whom is alleged to be the killer.

Investigators have completed their probe into Pavlyuchenkov's role in plotting the murder. He is expected to be tried under special procedure, as he admitted to the crime and entered into a plea agreement.

The special procedure classification ensures a trial without an evidentiary review or witness testimonies, and the court cannot sentence the defendant to the maximum punishment. Pavlyuchenkov's house arrest will last until November.