The Russian justice system took the decision on Thursday to extend the pre-trial detention for American journalist Evan Gershkovich, formally accused of espionage by the Federal Security Service (FSB), successor to the Soviet KGB.
The Lefortovo District Court in Moscow extended Gershkovich's stay in prison until Nov. 30, pending trial. It is the third time that the Russian courts have refused to release Gershkovich. On July 22, the WSJ journalist's lawyers unsuccessfully asked to lift the injunction.
"Bring him home." A message from Evan Gershkovich's colleagues. pic.twitter.com/3H6mRTQUzq
— The Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) August 16, 2023
Russian authorities arrested Gershkovich in late March in the city of Yekaterinburg, and on April 7, he was formally charged. According to Russian intelligence services, Gershkovich was collecting classified information on behalf of the United States. Gershkovich's alleged target was a "Russian defense enterprise."
Both the White House and the Wall Street Journal denied the allegations against Gershkovich and called for the 32-year-old journalist's freedom.
