Moscow court rejects Khodorkovsky appeal

The Moscow city court has rejected an appeal from lawyers representing former YUKOS CEO Mikhail Khodorkovsky against the initial ruling that he should remain under arrest until December 30. As a Rosbalt correspondent reports, this was announced by Anton Drel, one of Mr Khodorkovsky's lawyers, after the hearing. The lawyers had demanded that the businessman be released on bail or on probation. Mr Khodorkovsky himself only watched the hearing on video.

Mr Khodorkovsky has been arrested on charges of fraud and tax evasion.