Global Courant 2023-05-23 23:52:47
A Russian court has detained journalist Gershkovich until August 30, while US officials continue to press for his release.
A Russian court has extended the detention of Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reporter Evan Gershkovich by three months and detained the 31-year-old US citizen until August 30.
Gershkovich was arrested in March on charges of espionage while on a reporting trip in Russia and formally detained in April. He, his employer and the US government have denied the allegations.
The hearing for Tuesday’s trial was not announced in advance and the whole case has been wrapped up in secrecy.
Moscow has said the sensitivity of the espionage allegations means that the trial must be held in private and court documents will not be made public. Russian authorities have not detailed what evidence they have gathered to support the espionage allegations.
Russia’s state news agency TASS said the session was closed because the reporter was accused of possessing “secret material”.
A Russian news agency, Interfax, quoted a court official as saying that Gershkovich’s parents visited Moscow and had been admitted to the courthouse, but not at Tuesday’s hearing.
The United States called for his immediate release after Russian security forces attempted to extend his detention.
“He shouldn’t be held at all. Journalism is not a crime. He must be released immediately,” White House national security spokesman John Kirby told CNN.
“We’re still going to work really, really hard to see if we can get him home to his family where he belongs.”
‘Very worried’
US officials are still pushing for consular access to Gershkovich directly with the Russians, Kirby said.
“There is no reason to deny consular access… We really want to get that consular access going.”
The US embassy in Moscow was quoted by WSJ as saying it was “deeply concerned about today’s decision of the Russian court”.
“The United States strongly objects to Russia’s continued denial of consular entry to Mr. Gershkovich. We reiterate that the allegations against him are baseless and call for Mr Gershkovich’s immediate release,” it said.
In a statement following Tuesday’s hearing, the WSJ said: “While we expected no change in Evans’ wrongful detention, we are deeply disappointed. The allegations are demonstrably false and we continue to demand his immediate release.”
Gershkovich is the first US correspondent since the Cold War to be detained in Russia on espionage charges. His arrest shocked journalists in the country and sparked outrage in the West.
He is being held in Moscow’s Lefortovo Prison. US embassy officials have allowed at least one prison visit to Gershkovich since his arrest in Yekaterinburg on March 29, but Russian authorities have not authorized any other visits.
