Evan Gershkovich, American journalist arrested for “espionage”, appeals his detention

The defense of American journalist Evan Gershkovich, arrested in Russia last week on espionage charges, appealed on Monday April 3 against his detention. “The date of the hearing (…) will be announced this week”explained a spokeswoman for the Moscow court of Lefortovo, specifying that the request would be examined by another court, of higher instance.

Evan Gershkovich, correspondent in Russia for the prestigious American daily The Wall Street Journal and former AFP journalist in Moscow, was placed in pre-trial detention on Thursday, at least until May 29. He was arrested in Yekaterinburg, a city in the Urals, by the Federal Security Service (FSB). THE wall street journal and the reporter deny these accusations.

“Ridiculous” accusations for Joe Biden

US President Joe Biden called for the journalist’s release on Friday, with the White House calling it a “ridiculous” espionage charges. His arrest comes in a context of increased repression in Russia against the press since the offensive against Ukraine, a conflict which has strained relations between Moscow and Washington.

It also follows an exchange in December between American basketball star Brittney Griner, who was in custody in Russia, and Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, a prisoner in the United States. Washington has repeatedly accused Moscow of arbitrarily arresting Americans to use as bargaining chips and recover Russians detained in the United States.