Russia court rejects US journalist's detention appeal
A Russian court has rejected an appeal by an American journalist against the decision to hold him in detention before his trial on charges of espionage.
Evan Gershkovich, 31, who reported on the Ukraine war for the Wall Street Journal from Russia, was arrested by Russia’s FSB security service in the Urals city of Yekaterinburg on March 29.
The Russian intelligence service accused him of trying to obtain classified information about a Russian arms factory.
Last month, a Moscow court charges him with spying and social media posts critical of the Ukraine war and sentenced him to two years in prison.
On Tuesday, he appeared at a Moscow court to appeal his pre-trial detention. The court was only deciding on the decision to hold Gershkovich in pre-trial detention, not on the substance of the case.
A judge rejected his appeal and ordered Gershkovich to remain in pre-trial detention until May 29. Authorities can extend that period.
His legal team had offered bail of £490,000, paid by the Wall Street Journal to have him freed or placed under house arrest, his lawyer Tatiana Nozhkina told reporters after the hearing. The court rejected the request, however.
“He’s in a combative mood,” said the lawyer. “He is ready to defend himself and to show that he is innocent.”
Both the Journal and US authorities have denied the charges. Last week, the US officially designated Gershkovich as “wrongfully detained,” in effect labeling the charges as bogus.
Gershkovich is being held in Lefortovo prison in Moscow.
The US ambassador to Russia visited Gershkovich on Monday and said he was “in good health and remains strong.”
Gershkovich is the first US correspondent since the Cold War to be detained in Russia on espionage charges. If convicted, Gershkovich could face up to 20 years in prison.
Another US national, Michigan corporate security executive Paul Whelan, has been imprisoned in Russia since December 2018 on espionage charges.
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