A court in Russia has dismissed US reporter Gershkovich’s appeal against an extension of his detention. He must remain in custody until the end of August. The journalist is accused of espionage.
Russia’s judiciary has confirmed the extended detention for the US reporter Evan Gershkovich, who was arrested for alleged espionage. A court in Moscow rejected a complaint by Gershkovich’s lawyers, the Interfax news agency reported. With the verdict, the journalist accused of espionage must remain in prison until August 30. A Moscow court decided on this date in May.
The 31-year-old works for the US newspaper “Wall Street Journal”. The paper reported that Gershkovich briefly smiled as he entered the courtroom in a dark T-shirt and jeans. The AP news agency, in turn, reported that Gershkovich looked tense before the hearing began.
Other journalists were asked to leave the courtroom. The hearing took place behind closed doors. On site were Gershkovich’s parents and US Ambassador to Russia Lynne Tracy. Gershkovich “continues to show remarkable strength and resilience in these very trying circumstances,” Tracy said. Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov confirmed that the US has again requested consular access to Gershkovich. “It’s being checked now,” he said.
Gershkovich faces up to 20 years in prison
The reporter was arrested by the FSB secret service in March in the city of Yekaterinburg in the Urals. He is accused of collecting classified information about Russia’s military-industrial complex for US agencies. The Wall Street Journal denies that. Gershkovich pursued his work with official accreditation. The US government is also demanding the immediate release of the correspondent.
The Russian judiciary had originally set the pre-trial detention until May 29, but then extended it until the end of August. If convicted, the American with Russian roots faces up to 20 years in prison. The case further strained the already tense relations between Washington and Moscow.
Gershkovich is being held in Moscow’s Lefortovo prison. The detention center is notorious for harsh conditions for inmates. Representatives of the US embassy were able to visit him there once. Two other requests for permission to visit were denied.