Izmestyev, a former member of parliament in the Republic of Bashkortostan, is accused of organizing the murder of the wife of his former business partner, notary Galina Perepelkina, in Moscow in 2001.
The official was detained January 16 at Bishkek airport in the Central Asian republic of Kyrgyzstan and extradited to Moscow. A court formally sanctioned his ten-day arrest January 18.
Izmestyev has pleaded not guilty. "The charge is absurd. I was abducted. The money is the only reason," he said earlier, adding that he had been detained by force and had suffered from psychological and physical pressure.
His lawyer Vladimir Sementsov said Izmestyev had been offered to pay 80 million rubles ($3 million) to secure his release.
"Within ten days, [prosecutors] were supposed to press charges and have done so," Sementsov said. "We believe Izmestyev is innocent and will seek his full acquittal - it has all been orchestrated."
The lawyer declined to comment on the charges, saying he had signed a notice to reveal no details of the investigation process.
"I can only say that the actions against Izmestyev are illegal," Sementsov said. "He is waiting for a reply from Prosecutor General [Yury] Chaika."
