Political bargaining chip

US reporter Gershkovich remains in Russian custody

Photos showed Gershkovich at the hearing on Tuesday in a glass box wearing jeans and a checked shirt.(Bild: APA/AFP/Natalia KOLESNIKOVA)

US journalist Evan Gershkovich, who was arrested for alleged espionage, must remain in Russian custody for the time being. A court in Moscow rejected an appeal against the imprisonment of the "Wall Street Journal" reporter, as the US newspaper reported on Tuesday (local time). Gershkovich will therefore remain behind bars until at least June 30.

"It remains outrageous that Evan has been wrongfully detained by the Russian government for more than a year," wrote the WSJ. So far, no evidence against Gershkovich has been presented. The release of the 32-year-old is "long overdue".

Photos showed Gershkovich at the hearing on Tuesday in a glass box wearing jeans and a checked shirt. He was smiling and talking to his lawyers, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Gershkovich had to remain in this cage during the hearing.(Bild: APA/AFP/Natalia KOLESNIKOVA)

Arrested during a reporting trip
The Wall Street Journal's Russia correspondent was arrested at the end of March 2023 while on a reporting trip in Yekaterinburg. According to the newspaper, he is being held in Lefortovo prison in Moscow. The public prosecutor's office accuses him of collecting state secrets about the activities of a Russian arms company "on the instructions of the American side".

Putin interested in prisoner exchange
Gershkovich and his employer reject the espionage allegations. The US government has stated that Gershkovich is being held unjustly. Most recently, Russian ruler Vladimir Putin publicly signaled that he was prepared to exchange Gershkovich for Russians imprisoned in the West.