Jailed American journalist Evan Gershkovich has appeared in a Moscow court to appeal against his detention on spying charges, part of a sweeping Kremlin crackdown on dissent amid the war in Ukraine.
Key points:
- Evan Gershkovich was arrested on March 29 and accused of trying to obtain classified information about a Russian arms factory
- Gershkovich, the Wall Street Journal and the US government all deny he was involved in spying
- The Moscow City Court is considering a defence appeal against his detention
Russia’s Federal Security Service detained the 31-year-old in Yekaterinburg on March 29 and accused him of trying to obtain classified information about a Russian arms factory.
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 behind glass. US Ambassador Lynne Tracy was in the room.
The detained journalist, 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 State Department, which is taking the lead on seeking his release.
The Moscow City Court is considering a defence appeal against his detention on Tuesday, local time.
He has been held in Moscow’s Lefortovo prison, which has been a terrifying symbol of repression since Soviet times.
The US has pressed Moscow to grant consular access to Gershkovich.
On Monday, US Ambassador Lynne Tracy said she had visited Gershkovich in prison for the first time since his detention.
Ms Tracy said on Twitter that he was “in good health and remains strong”, reiterating a US call for his immediate release.
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.
In December, American basketball star Brittney Griner was exchanged for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout after her trial and conviction on drug possession charges.
She had been sentenced to nine years in prison and ended up spending 10 months behind bars.
Another American, Michigan corporate security executive Paul Whelan, has been imprisoned in Russia since December 2018 on espionage charges, which his family and the US government have called baseless.
AP