The court in Moscow today rejected the appeal against the verdict of the opposition politician Alexei Navalny, Beta reports.
The Kremlin critic was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison for violating his probation and now faces trial for defaming a World War II veteran.
The Russian authorities previously rejected the request of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) for Navalny's release, judging that it has no "legal basis" and that it represents "gross interference" in Russia's internal affairs.
The ECHR made the request stating that there is a danger to his life.
Navalny was arrested on January 17 after returning to Russia from Germany, where he spent months recovering from nerve agent poisoning. His arrest sparked protests across Russia, which ended with the arrest of around 11.000 people.
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