Gersikovic’s detention extended for the third time… U.S. government denies spam allegations
Detention of Radio Free Europe reporter Kurmasheva extended to December 5
The WSJ reported on the 28th (local time) that a Russian court once again extended the detention of Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reporter Evan Gershkovic, who is suspected of being a spy. This is the third time Gersikovich’s detention has been extended, and the U.S. government and media outlets have denied accusations of spying against him.
Gershkovic, a U.S. citizen, was arrested by the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) on charges of espionage while reporting in Yekaterinburg, a city in central Russia, on March 29.
Gersikovic’s detention period, originally until May 29, has already been extended twice, to August 30 and November 30.
The Lefortovo District Court in Moscow, Russia, announced in a ruling on the 28th that it would extend Gersikovich’s detention period to 10 months and apply until January 30 of next year.
WSJ said in a statement that it stands with Gersikovic and called for his immediate release.
The media said, “Evan has been unjustly imprisoned for nearly 250 days, and every day is too long for him. The charges against him are false and his continued detention is a shameless and outrageous attack on the freedom of speech, which is so important in a free society.” It was said.
The U.S. Embassy in Russia also criticized the extended detention of Gersikovich.
The U.S. Embassy said, “Today, representatives from the U.S. Embassy attended the Gershkovic hearing in the Lefortovo courthouse. “We are deeply concerned by the court’s decision to extend his detention for another two months,” he said. “Evan has been detained without legal grounds for almost eight months. “We reiterate our call for Evan’s release.”
Meanwhile, the Russian court also extended the detention period of Alsu Kurmasheva, a reporter for Radio Free Europe (RFE·RL) who has dual U.S.-Russian citizenship, until December 5. After Gershkovych, Kurmasheva is the second American journalist to be arrested and detained in Russia.
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.