MOSCOW, September 21 - RAPSI. The Moscow City Court upheld the custody extension of Rustam Makhmudov, who is accused of having murdered journalist Anna Politkovskaya. Makhmudov can be held until November 30, the courts press service told the Russian Legal Information Agency (RAPSI/rapsinews.com) Friday.

The board of appeals dismissed Makhmudovs appeal which insisted on changing the terms of his detention.

Makhmudov has been charged with murder, illegal arms trafficking, leaving a person in danger, and obstructing the right to freedom of conscience and religious worship, all in connection with Politkovskaya's death.

Politkovskaya was well known for her investigative journalism on human rights issues in Chechnya. She was killed in Moscow on October 7, 2006. Investigators believe her murder was related to her work.

Six people are suspected of involvement in the case - former police officer Dmitry Pavlyuchenkov, Chechen-born Lom-Ali Gaitukayev, former police officer Sergei Kadzhikurbanov and the Makhmudov brothers, one of whom is alleged to have been the killer.

Investigators have completed their probe into Pavlyuchenkov's role in the murder. He is expected to be tried under special circumstances, after he confessed as part of a plea bargain arrangement.

The special circumstances procedure ensures a relatively speedy trial without evidentiary review or witness testimony, and the court cannot sentence the defendant to the maximum punishment. Pavlyuchenkov's house arrest will last until November.