MOSCOW, January 18 - RAPSI, Diana Gutsul. The Khamovnichesky District Court in Moscow on Friday extended the house arrest of former Defense Ministry Property Department head Yevgenia Vasilyeva.

She has been charged as part of the fraud case involving the illegal sales of property, land and shares belonging to the subsidiaries of the state-run Oboronservis holding company. She faces up to six years in prison.

According to investigators, Vasilyeva and other individuals embezzled assets worth 360 million rubles ($11.56 million).

Vasilyeva has pleaded innocent and refused to provide evidence in the case, the investigator told the court. "Vasilyeva could threaten witnesses and obstruct justice," he said. "She keeps in contact with several individuals who have also attempted to conceal evidence."

He said the authorities conducting the preliminary investigation need to continue questioning individuals linked with the ministry and studying the documents and media that have been seized under the case as well as additional materials.

The investigator asked the court to extend Vasilyeva's house arrest for two months to March 23.

Oboronservis comprises service companies that repair and maintain weapons and military equipment, including vehicles, produce building materials and foodstuffs, operate energy facilities, print maps and other products, and provide housing management services for military towns.