MOSCOW, June 28 (RAPSI) – The Moscow City Court on Wednesday upheld a lower court’s ruling to seize property belonging to the relatives of the Federal Guard Service (FSO) General Gennady Lopyrev, who stands charged with taking a grand bribe, RAPSI reports from the courtroom.

On April 27, the Basmanny District Court of Moscow ordered forfeiture of Porsche Cayenne owned by Lopyrev’s daughter-in-law; garage, Mercedes Benz and a land plot belonging to his wife. Defense asked the Moscow City Court to overturn the ruling as illegal and meritless.

Lopyrev was arrested on November 25, 2016, following an internal check conducted in the FSO units in the Caucasus region. Later in the evening, the 94th Garrison Military Court ruled to put him in jail.

Investigators claim that Lopyrev took bribes from businessmen for protection during signing and execution of government contracts on construction and repair works. He pleaded not guilty.

Russian media outlets reported earlier that the case may be connected with the construction of the Olympic venues in Sochi.