Russian court rules US spy suspect to stay in jail

A court in Moscow has ruled that U.S spy suspect Edmond Pope must stay in jail pending trial for espionage.

Pope had appealed on the grounds of ill health for early release. He is suffering from bone cancer.

CNN's Steve Harrigan said he appeared in court in a steel cage as is traditional in Russia.

Two weeks ago the U.S. State Department says the imprisonment of the American businessman on espionage charges could have implications for Americans traveling to Russia.

Cheryl Pope had visited her husband in Lefortovo prison and reported that he was in a fragile state and has been denied adequate medical care.

"He appeared much weaker, physically and mentally, he is having a very difficult time and he appears very tired," Cheryl Pope told reporters.

His bone cancer was in remission when he left for Russia in March, his family says.

Pope, 54, runs CERF Technologies International, a consulting firm in State College, Pennsylvania, that developed commercial contacts with Russian organisations.

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