Jailed US journalist Evan Gershkovich yesterday appeared in a Moscow court to appeal his detention on spying charges, part of a sweeping Kremlin crackdown on dissent amid the war in Ukraine. He and the US government strenuously deny the allegations.
Dozens of journalists crowded together to catch a glimpse of the Wall Street Journal reporter, who is the first US correspondent since the Cold War to be detained in Russia on spying allegations.
Gershkovich looked calm as he stood inside a glass cage. US Ambassador Lynne Tracy was in the room.
Photo: AP
Russia’s Federal Security Service detained the 31-year-old in Yekaterinburg last month and accused him of trying to obtain classified information about a Russian arms factory.
Gershkovich, his employer and the US government all deny he was involved in spying and have demanded his release.
Last week, the US government declared that he was “wrongfully detained” — a designation that means his case receives special attention from the US Department of State.
The Moscow City Court was yesterday considering a defense appeal of his detention.
Gershkovich could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted. Russian lawyers have said past investigations into espionage cases took a year to 18 months, during which time he could have little contact with the outside world.
He has been held in Moscow’s Lefortovo prison, which dates from the czarist era and has been a terrifying symbol of repression since Soviet times.
The arrest comes at a moment of bitter tensions between the West and Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine, and as the Kremlin intensifies a crackdown on opposition activists, independent journalists and civil society groups.
The US has pressed Moscow to grant consular access to Gershkovich. On Monday, Tracy said she visited Gershkovich in prison for the first time since his detention.
She said on Twitter that “he is in good health and remains strong,” reiterating a US call for his immediate release.
US President Joe Biden spoke to Greshkovich’s parents last week and again condemned his detention.
“We’re making it real clear that it’s totally illegal what’s happening, and we declared it so,” he said.
A top Russian diplomat last week said that Russia might be willing to discuss a potential prisoner swap with the US involving Gershkovich after his trial. That means any exchange is unlikely to happen any time soon.
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