A court in Moscow on Tuesday extended the detention of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, arrested on espionage charges, until Jan. 30, Russian news agencies reported. The hearing took place behind closed doors because authorities say details of the criminal case against the American journalist are classified.
Quick Read
- Extended Detention: A Moscow court extended Gershkovich’s detention until January 30, as reported by Russian news agencies.
- Closed-Door Hearing: The hearing was conducted behind closed doors, citing the classified nature of the criminal case against Gershkovich.
- Arrest Details: Gershkovich, 32, was arrested in March during a reporting trip in Yekaterinburg, Russia. He is accused of collecting state secrets for the U.S.
- Denial of Allegations: Both Gershkovich and the Wall Street Journal deny the espionage allegations. The U.S. government has declared his detention as wrongful.
- Lack of Public Evidence: Russian authorities have not publicly detailed any evidence to support the espionage charges against Gershkovich.
- Historical Context: Gershkovich is the first American reporter to be charged with espionage in Russia since 1986.
- Prison Conditions: He is being held in Moscow’s Lefortovo prison, known for its harsh conditions.
- Speculation of Political Motive: Analysts suggest Moscow might be using detained Americans, including Gershkovich, as bargaining chips amidst heightened U.S.-Russian tensions due to the Ukraine conflict.
- Potential Prisoner Swap: The Russian Foreign Ministry indicated a willingness to consider a swap for Gershkovich, but only after his trial concludes.
- Lengthy Trial Process: Espionage trials in Russia can extend over a year, indicating a potentially prolonged legal process for Gershkovich.
The Associated Press has the story:
Russian court extends detention of WSJ reporter Gershkovich until end of Jan.
Newslooks- MOSCOW (AP)
A court in Moscow on Tuesday extended the detention of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, arrested on espionage charges, until Jan. 30, Russian news agencies reported.
The hearing took place behind closed doors because authorities say details of the criminal case against the American journalist are classified.
Gershkovich, 32, was detained in March while on a reporting trip to the Russian city of Yekaterinburg, about 2,000 kilometers (1,200 miles) east of Moscow. Russia’s Federal Security Service alleged that the reporter, “acting on the instructions of the American side, collected information constituting a state secret about the activities of one of the enterprises of the Russian military-industrial complex.”
Gershkovich and the Journal deny the allegations, and the U.S. government has declared him to be wrongfully detained. Russian authorities haven’t detailed any evidence to support the espionage charges.
Gershkovich is the first American reporter to be charged with espionage in Russia since 1986, when Nicholas Daniloff, a Moscow correspondent for U.S. News and World Report, was arrested by the KGB. He is being held at Moscow’s Lefortovo prison, notorious for its harsh conditions.
Analysts have pointed out that Moscow may be using jailed Americans as bargaining chips after U.S.-Russian tensions soared when Russia sent troops into Ukraine. At least two U.S. citizens arrested in Russia in recent years — including WNBA star Brittney Griner — have been exchanged for Russians jailed in the U.S.
The Russian Foreign Ministry has said it will consider a swap for Gershkovich only after a verdict in his trial. In Russia, espionage trials can last for more than a year.
