MOSCOW, February 9 (RIA Novosti) - A Moscow court ruled on Friday to extend until July 1 the arrest of a former Moscow Region Deputy Prosecutor, Alexander Ignatenko, who was extradited from Poland on Thursday.

Ignatenko, who fled Russia in 2011, is charged with involvement in illegal casino rackets and taking bribes on the total sum of 40 million rubles ($1.3 million).

The defense for Ignatenko asked the court to place him under the house arrest, while investigators demanded that he should remain in custody as he could pressure witnesses and conceal traces of his crimes if released.

Ignatenko was placed on the international wanted list after police uncovered a massive gambling operation in spring 2011.

Poland's Internal Security Agency detained Ignatenko at the popular Polish ski resort of Zakopane in January 2012. He spent 11 months in custody before his extradition.

Igantenko faces up to 12 years in prison in Russia if convicted.

Gambling has been illegal in Russia - except in four designated zones - since 2009, but still flourishes as a huge undercover business.