MOSCOW, March 7 - RAPSI. The Krakow Appeals Court upheld on Wednesday the lower-court decision to extradite former Moscow Region Deputy Prosecutor Alexander Ignatenko to Russia, Wojciech Dziuban, the court's press secretary, told RIA Novosti.

"The court upheld the resolution on extraditing Ignatenko to Russia and extending his arrest until June 9," he said.

The former prosecutor was placed on the international wanted list as part of the notorious "gambling case." Uncovered several months ago, the high-profile Moscow region illegal casino scandal incited a major public uproar. Businessman Ivan Nazarov allegedly operated illegal casinos in 15 towns across the region. According to law enforcement authorities, several high-ranking officials of prosecutor's offices and the federal Interior Ministry were involved in the casino operation, which generated between $5 million and $10 million in revenue monthly.

Polish law enforcement officers detained Ignatenko at the Zakopane ski resort, where he arrived using a false passport to meet his son and wife on January 1, 2012. The Nowy Sacz District Court decided to put him under temporary arrest until February 9, 2012. He attempted to challenge the decision and obtain release on his own recognizance and a $40,000 bail.

Ignatenko's lawyer told the court that his client had to escape Russian justice and use "probably false" documents, as Russian law enforcement authorities allegedly did not comply with the law while investigating the gambling case. The Krakow court turned down Ignatenko's complaint.