Russian authorities have formally charged Evan Gershkovich, a Wall Street Journal reporter, with espionage, according to Russian state media on Friday. Gershkovich has denied the accusations, stating that he was involved in journalistic activities while in Russia. The case has been marked “top secret,” and an agency representative declined to provide further information, as reported by the state news agency TASS.
Gershkovich was arrested by Russian authorities last week, escalating tensions between Moscow and the United States and intensifying Russia’s campaign against foreign news media. On April 18th, a Moscow court will hear an appeal filed by Gershkovich’s lawyers against his arrest. Until May 29th, the correspondent will be held in the notorious Leftereovo pre-detention center.
This marks the first time an American journalist has been detained on spying accusations by Moscow since the Cold War. Western officials and the Wall Street Journal have vehemently denounced Gershkovich’s arrest, calling it “a vicious affront to a free press” and demanding outrage from free people and governments worldwide.
On Wednesday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to release Gershkovich immediately. Blinken expressed his belief that Gershkovich was wrongfully detained in Russia, but stated that a formal process would be completed soon. CNN reported that the Biden administration is preparing to officially declare Gershkovich as wrongfully detained in Russia, a move that will enable new US government resources to work towards his release.
