MOSCOW, September 12 - RAPSI. The Moscow City Court ruled on Monday to leave those accused of rioting in downtown Moscow in December in jail, the Russian Legal Information Agency (RAPSI) reports from the courtroom.

According to investigators, as many as 5,000 football fans and nationalists rioted on December 11, 2010 in central Moscow following a rally to commemorate FC Spartak fan Yegor Sviridov, who was shot dead on December 6, 2010. Thirty-two people were injured in the riots.

Law enforcement authorities opened dozens of criminal proceedings against rioters. A separate case was opened over assaults on police officers.
With its decision, the court rejected the defenses appeal against a lower court order extending their detention for another six months - until January 26. The defense had insisted that pre-trial detention was too harsh.

The court is presently considering the case of Aslan Cherkesov, 27, charged with killing Sviridov. Five co-defendants are charged with hooliganism and malicious assault resulting in slight injury.