Bulbov, head of technological support at the federal drugs control agency, and four of his colleagues were detained by the Federal Security Service (FSB) in early October on suspicion of disclosing state secrets, as well as illegal phone tapping.
The court rejected an appeal earlier lodged by the Prosecutor General's Office, as well as a complaint from the defense team.
At the time of his arrest, Bulbov and his colleagues had been investigating a high-profile furniture smuggling case, which resulted in the arrests of five senior FSB officers last spring. The arrests of Bulbov and his men gave rise to speculation of a conflict between the two state agencies.
In a statement circulated by his lawyers after the court session on Wednesday, Bulbov said: "I insist that the legal action against me, including my arrest and unsubstantiated charges, as well as the ongoing media frenzy, are over my part in the investigation into the Tri Kita [furniture chain] and the smuggling of Chinese goods. FSB officials are guided by fear of new revelations."
The general and his colleagues had been officially assigned to aid the smuggling investigation at the request of the Prosecutor General's Office.
A lower, Basmanny, court had earlier ordered Bulbov be taken into custody, fearing he could flee or destroy evidence and pressurize witnesses. The court also denied him bail despite guarantees provided by three of his bosses, citing his security background and high-profile connections.
