The Vilnius District Court authorized Ruzhechko's arrest in July at Lithuanian prosecutors' request. He is seeking a milder measure of restraint.

Russian law-enforcement officials are seeking the extradition of Ruzhechko whom they suspect of involvement in the contamination of Transneft's Druzhba oil pipeline.

Lithuanian prosecutors say that the suspect must remain in custody at this stage of the process.

The oil pipeline was temporarily shut down on April 19 after it was found to contain oil with a high content of dichloroethane, a toxic substance with strong corrosive properties. Oil supplies to at least six European countries were stopped.

Ruzhechko's lawyer Rolandas Tilindis says criminal proceedings against his client in Russia would not be objective. The suspect denies any wrongdoing.

The Lithuanian Migration Department is currently processing the Russian citizen's application for political asylum.

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