Politics

Russia extends detention of American journalist by 3 months

Moscow, Mar 26 (EFE).- A Russian court on Tuesday extended the pre-trial detention of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, accused of espionage, for another three months.

“The Moscow City Court, having considered the petition of the prosecutor’s office, extended the period of Evan Gershkovich’s detention until June 30, 2024,” the state-run Tass news agency reported.

The session was held behind closed doors as the case contained “classified material,” the agency said.

The 32-year-old reporter was arrested in March 2023 while working in Yekaterinburg, 1,647 kilometers (1,023 miles) east of Moscow.

The Federal Security Service (FSB, formerly KGB) charged Gershkovich with carrying out espionage in the interest of the United States in April 2023.

According to the FSB, the journalist, “acting as an agent for the American side, collected top-secret data about the activity of an enterprise of the Russian military-industrial complex.”

The White House and the Wall Street Journal have denied the accusation against Gershkovich and have called for his immediate release.

If convicted, Gershkovich could face up to 20 years in prison.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Gershkovich could be exchanged under a prisoner swap program.

“We are willing to solve it, but there are certain terms being discussed via special services channels. I believe an agreement can be reached,” Putin had said in an interview in February. EFE

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