MOSCOW, October 2 - RAPSI. The Basmanny District Court has rejected opposition figure Sergei Udaltsov's appeal of a $960 fine imposed against him for having held an unauthorized rally near the federal investigation headquarters on August 9, the court told the Russian Legal Information Agency (RAPSI/rapsinews.com) Tuesday.

Udaltsov is the coordinator of the Left Front. The fine imposed by Magistrate's Court No. 390 has been upheld.

The fine was handed down subject to the new law on rallies, which considerably increased the fine amount.

Neither Udaltsov nor his attorneys attended the hearing Tuesday.

According to Udaltsov, the rally was held as a sign of solidarity with the individuals who have been arrested in connection with the May 6 riots case.

Udaltsov was charged with violating established order to organize and hold the rally, which is punishable by a fine ranging from 20,000 ($641.2) to 30,000 rubles ($961.7), or compulsory community service for up to 50 hours. The magistrate's court ordered the maximum fine for the violation.
Earlier, Udaltsov said he disagreed with the court's decision to fine him.

He said he was present at the time of the rallies, but added that he arrived there to meet with an MP to talk about political prisoners. He said he notified a nearby police officer of the impending meeting.