Recently, a court in Moscow upheld a previous ruling to extend the detention of Evan Gershkovich, a Wall Street Journal journalist who was arrested in Russia on charges of espionage. The court rejected Gershkovich’s appeal and determined that he would remain in custody until late August.
Gershkovich, a 31-year-old US citizen, was apprehended in March during a reporting assignment. LASt month a Moscow Court agreed to keep him in custody till 30th August. A challenge appeal was presented by the Defence which was rejected by the Court. Despite denying the espionage allegations, both Gershkovich and his employer have maintained his innocence. The US government has criticized his detention as unjust and has called for his immediate release.
During the court hearing, Gershkovich, dressed in a black T-shirt and light blue jeans, appeared tense as he paced inside a glass defendant’s enclosure. The proceedings commenced behind closed doors after other journalists were asked to leave the courtroom.
The apprehension of Evan Gershkovich in Yekaterinburg caused concern among journalists in Russia, as authorities have not provided clear information regarding the evidence supporting the espionage accusations.
Gershkovich is currently detained at the notorious Lefortovo prison in Moscow, known for its harsh conditions. While U.S. Embassy officials were permitted to visit him once, their two subsequent requests to see him were denied by Russian authorities. On Thursday, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov stated that the Ministry is reviewing another visit request from the embassy.
