The defense of American journalist Evan Gershkovich, arrested in Russia last week on charges of “espionage” which he rejects, appealed his detention on Monday, a Moscow court said.
“It is the same (officially appointed) lawyer who represented Gershkovich during his arrest who appealed,” a spokeswoman for the Moscow court in Lefortovo said.
“The date of the detention appeal hearing will be announced this week,” he added, specifying that the request will be examined by another, higher court.
“Ridiculous” accusations
Evan Gershkovich, Russia correspondent for the prestigious American newspaper Wall Street Journal and a former AFP journalist in Moscow, was remanded in custody last Thursday until at least May 29.
He was arrested in Yekaterinburg (Urals) by the Federal Security Service (FSB), who accused him of “espionage”.
HE Wall Street Journal and the reporter, respected by his colleagues for his thoroughness, deny these accusations.
US President Joe Biden called for the journalist’s release on Friday, with the White House calling the spying charges “ludicrous.”
His arrest occurs in a context of greater repression in Russia against the press since the offensive against Ukraine, which has greatly strained relations between Moscow and Washington.
It also follows an exchange in December between American basketball star Brittney Griner, who was in Russian custody, and Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, who is imprisoned in the United States.
Washington has repeatedly accused Moscow of arbitrarily arresting Americans to use them as bargaining chips and recovering Russians detained in the United States.
Source: BFM TV
