Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) said earlier this month that it foiled a plot to commit a terrorist attack in the capital during this year's VE Day celebrations May 9. It also reported finding an explosives-laden car, which it claimed was to be used in the attack, during a police raid in a southern neighborhood.
The Moscow City Court upheld the arrest of Ruslan Musayev and Umar Batukayev following the hearing of an appeal from defense lawyers contesting a district court's decision to place the suspects under arrest pending trial for their alleged involvement in the plot.
The two men were put in custody on an arrest warrant issued by the Lefortovo Court May 10, but neither has yet been formally charged, according to Musayev's defense lawyer, Zoya Mikailova. The two men are accused of conspiring to commit a terrorist act, and of illegally purchasing and possessing explosive devices.
Batukayev and Musayev are believed to be part of a terrorist group that staged several terrorist attacks in Russia's troubled North Caucasus in recent years. Most of the group's members come from the region.
The court has 30 days to prepare a formal indictment for the arrested men. Two other suspects in the case have yet to be tracked down.
