March 26 (UPI) — A Russian court extended Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich’s pre-trial detention extended to at least June 30, marking a year he has been in the custody of the Federal Security Service.
Gershkovich was arrested in Yekaterinburg on a reporting trip when FSB, similar to the old Soviet KGB, charged him with espionage. All of his attempts to appear in his pre-trial detention have been denied.
“This verdict to further prolong Evan’s detention feels particularly painful as this week marks one year since Evan was arrested and wrongfully detained in Yekaterinburg simply for doing his job as a journalist,” U.S. Ambassador Lynne M. Tracy said on Tuesday, according to ABC News.
“The accusations against Evan are categorically untrue. They are not a different interpretation of circumstances, they are fiction.”
Much of Gershkovich’s hearings have happened privately and Russian investigators have yet to speak publicly about the evidence against him. The Wall Street Journal and the State Department have repeatedly denied that the reporter was involved in espionage.
“It’s a ruling that ensures Evan will sit in a Russian prison well past one year,” The Wall Street Journal said about Tuesday’s delay. “It was also Evan’s 12th court appearance, baseless proceedings that falsely portray him as something other than what he is — a journalist who was doing his job.
“He should never have been detained. Journalism is not a crime, and we continue to demand his immediate release.”
In February, Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested that Gershkovich could be released as part of a prisoner exchange. He told former Fox News host Tucker Carlson during an interview that he would consider such an exchange for someone for a Russian in U.S. custody.