MOSCOW, December 2 (RAPSI) – The Moscow City Court on Tuesday upheld the extension of the house arrest of opposition leader Alexei Navalny imposed on him in the Yves Rocher embezzlement case, RAPSI reports from the courtroom.

The court thus rejected an appeal filed by Navalny’s attorneys. The defense asked to overturn the court ruling.

Navalny will remain under house arrest until January 14.

However, the court mitigated his house arrest and allowed him to give TV and radio interviews, Navalny’s attorney Vadim Kobzev said.

Alexei Navalny is a Russian political and public figure, leader of the Party of Progress. He ran for Moscow mayor and is the author of one of the most popular political blogs that was banned for promoting unauthorized public protests.

Navalny and his brother Oleg stand accused in a fraud case involving cosmetics company Yves Rocher Vostok. Investigators allege that the Navalny brothers embezzled up to 26 million rubles (about $502,000) from the cosmetics company, as well as close to 4 million rubles ($77,200) from the Multidisciplinary Processing Company by way of a fraud scheme. The brothers were further charged with having laundered 21 million rubles ($405,400).
Alexei Navalny has been already given a suspended sentence of five years for the embezzlement of funds from Kirovles Company.