MOSCOW, November 15 (RAPSI) – The Moscow City Court on Wednesday dismissed an appeal against a lower court’s ruling to arrest Russian tycoon Telman Ismailov in absentia, the court’s press service told RAPSI.

Ismailov has been put on the international wanted list on murder charges. In late October, the Basmanny District Court of Moscow issued an arrest warrant for the businessman. His brother Vagif Ismailov is also wanted for multiple murder.

The case against Ismailov is reportedly connected with the murder of businessman Vladimir Savkin and founder of Lublino-Motors auto service centre Yury Brylev in May 2016. Another tycoon’s brother Rafik Ismailov and one more man Mekhman Kerimov were allegedly involved in the double homicide. Kerimov has pleaded guilty.

The businessman could face life imprisonment if convicted.

Telman Ismailov, who controls AST Group, is one of Russia’s richest men. In 2009, he clashed with law enforcement authorities over the Cherkizovsky outdoor market, which evolved from a mere flea market into an industrial-scale distribution hub for Chinese imports during the oil boom. The market was closed after sanitary authorities found major violations.

In March, the Moscow Commercial Court declared Ismailov bankrupt. Later, the Tenth Commercial Court of Appeals upheld this ruling.