MOSCOW, February 20 (RAPSI) – The Moscow City Court has upheld a lower court’s ruling to extend the detention of Vladimir Yevdokimov, executive director of the Russian space agency Roscosmos allegedly involved in embezzling 200 million rubles ($3.5 million) from MiG aircraft company, RIA Novosti reported Monday.

Defense lawyer asked the court to release Yevdokimov on a 30-million-ruble bail ($520,500). The appeal therefore was dismissed.

The defendant will stay in jail until April 30.

Investigators claim that Yevdokimov was a member an organized criminal group that managed to unlawfully acquire in 2007-2009 assets owned by MiG aircraft company and estimated at 200 million rubles.

Alexey Ozerov, former CEO of MiG-Rost, and Yegor Noskov, deputy CEO of Tupolev aircraft company, were also members of the group, according to investigators. They were put in detention as well.

An arrest warrant in absentia was issued for Alexey Andreev, former deputy general director of Helicopter Service Company.

Akim Noskov, CEO of Helicopter Service Company, absconded during the investigation.