MOSCOW — US journalist Evan Gershkovich, who was arrested in Russia final week on spying claims that he denies, is interesting his detention, a Moscow courtroom stated on Monday.
Gershkovich, 31, is believed to be the primary overseas journalist arrested on spying allegations for the reason that collapse of the Soviet Union.
His arrest has drawn outrage from the West and is seen as a critical escalation of Moscow’s crackdown on media.
A spokeswoman for Moscow’s Lefortovo district courtroom stated: “The date of the hearing on his detention appeal will be announced this week.”
She added that the enchantment was filed by the identical lawyer that represented Gershkovich throughout his detention listening to.
Gershkovich, a Wall Street Journal reporter and former AFP journalist in Moscow, was remanded in custody till May 29.
He and the Wall Street Journal have denied the costs towards him.
The Wall Street Journal stated it “vehemently denies the allegations from the FSB and seeks the immediate release of our trusted and dedicated reporter.”
More than three dozen news organizations have signed a letter to the Russian ambassador within the United States denouncing “unfounded espionage charges.”
CPJ, media organizations, and companions write to @RusEmbUSA calling for launch of US @WSJ journalist Evan Gershkovich
“As an urgent first step, Gershkovich should be granted immediate access to an attorney provided by his employer. We also demand https://t.co/ETnppryUOL… pic.twitter.com/bxhUT0DIVF
— Committee to Protect Journalists (@pressfreedom) March 31, 2023
“Gershkovich’s unwarranted and unjust arrest is a big escalation in your authorities’s anti-press actions,” the letter released by the Committee to Protect Journalists said.
“Gershkovich is a journalist, not a spy, and must be launched instantly and with out situations,” it added.
State news agency TASS said the case against the journalist has been classified “prime secret,” a label which restricts information that can be published about it. — Agence France-Presse
Source: www.gmanetwork.com