MOSCOW, May 18 (RAPSI, Lyudmila Klenko) – The Moscow City Court has dismissed an appeal filed by legal defense of Ukrainian journalist Roman Sushchenko, who stands charged with espionage, against extension of his detention until June 30, RAPSI learnt from the court’s press service on Thursday.

According to Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB), the Ukrainian citizen "purposively collected classified information about the Armed Forces and National Guard of Russia." Leak of data abroad could cause damage to the national defense capability, the FSB claimed earlier.

On October 7, charges were brought against Sushchenko.  He could face up to 20 years in prison if found guilty.

Ukrinform news agency earlier confirmed that Sushchenko has been acting as its reporter since 2002. Since 2010, he has been working as Ukrinform’s personal correspondent in France. According to the agency, Sushchenko arrived in Moscow on private business during his vacation and was arrested immediately upon his arrival.

Ukrinform repelled accusations against Sushchenko calling him "a journalist with years of unblemished professional reputation".