MOSCOW, December 15 (RAPSI, Oleg Sivozhelezov) – The Moscow City Court has upheld a ruling of a lower court on extension of detention for Ukrainian journalist Roman Sushchenko, who is charged with espionage, RAPSI learned in the courtroom on Thursday.

On October 7, Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) charged Sushchenko with espionage.

According to the 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, according to the FSB.

On November 28, Moscow's Lefortovsky District Court held that the journalist would remain in jail until January 30, 2017. The hearing in the case was held behind closed doors at the request of prosecutors.

Sushchenko faces 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".