Russia's anti-corruption head appeals detention over $120M in alleged bribes

MOSCOW, Sept. 13 (UPI) -- Lawyers for Dmitry Zakharchenko, the head of Russia's anti-corruption agency, are asking for Zakharchenko to be released from detention following his arrest on Saturday on corruption charges after $120 million was found in his apartment.

Zakharchenko, acting head of Russia's Ministry of Internal Affairs' Committee for Economic Security and Combating Corruption, was arrested on Saturday and charged with abuse of official position, obstruction of justice and preliminary investigation and accepting a bribe.

Moscow's Presnensky District Court ruled Zakharchenko should remain jailed until Nov. 8.

"We have submitted an appeal of the Presnensky District Court's ruling to take my client into custody as the necessary measure of restraint", Yury Novikov, Zakharchenko's lawyer, told TASS Russian News Agency.

Zakharchenko previously told the Moscow court that the apartment belongs to his sister and that the money does not belong to him.

Dmitry Peskov, Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesman, said the Kremlin is committed to rooting out corruption amid accusations the leader has turned a blind eye while close allies gain wealth.

"The fight against corruption is a very multi-faceted process, that is very bumpy and very complex," Peskov said in a statement.