2024-04-24 13:45:41
A Russian court today rejected another appeal by “Wall Street Journal” journalist Evan Gershkovich against his preliminary detention on charges of espionage, Reuters reported.
Thirty-two-year-old Gershkovich became the first American journalist to be arrested on espionage charges in Russia since the Cold War. He was detained by the Federal Security Service on March 29 last year.
Gershkovich, the Wall Street Journal and the US government deny the allegations.
A date has not yet been set for his trial. Last month, his detention was extended by three months until June 30.
Journalists were not allowed to attend the court hearing last month. Today, however, media representatives received permission to photograph Gershkovic, who was standing behind glass enclosures in the courtroom and smiling at his colleagues, BTA reported.
President Vladimir Putin has said that at some point Gershkovich could be exchanged for a Russian prisoner held abroad, but so far no such agreement has been reached.