The Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich remains detained in a high-security prison in Moscow after a court rejected his appeal on Tuesday. Gershkovich, 32, has been held on spying charges for over a year, making him the first American journalist arrested on such charges in Russia since the Cold War.
Despite vehemently denying the espionage charges, Gershkovich’s detention has been extended until at least the end of June, with no trial date set. The White House has labeled his detention as wrongful, calling him a political prisoner.
The Wall Street Journal issued a statement expressing outrage over Gershkovich’s prolonged detention and urged the administration to work towards securing his release. Reporters were allowed in the courtroom during the hearing, where Gershkovich appeared relaxed and greeted his media colleagues.
Gershkovich was arrested in Yekaterinburg last year while on a reporting trip, with the Russian security service alleging he was receiving classified information covertly. President Vladimir Putin claimed Gershkovich was involved in espionage activities.
His arrest is part of a pattern of detentions of American nationals in Russia, leading to speculation that the Kremlin may be using them as bargaining chips for Russian individuals held in the West. Talks of a potential prisoner exchange involving Gershkovich have been ongoing, with Russian officials confirming negotiations through a specialized closed channel.
