Current:Home > ContactRussian court extends Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich's detention by 3 months -Quantum Capital Pro
Russian court extends Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich's detention by 3 months
View
Date:2025-04-12 17:23:06
Washington — A Russian court has extended the detention of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich for at least another three months, Russian media outlets said Tuesday, the latest setback in efforts to secure his release.
News agencies TASS and Interfax reported that Lefortovsky District Court in Moscow ordered Gershkovich held until Aug. 30, citing the court's press service. Gershkovich faces espionage charges that the U.S. has denounced as fabricated, and the State Department has determined he is being "wrongfully detained," a designation that requires the U.S. government to work to secure his release.
The 31-year-old correspondent was arrested in March in the Russian city of Yekaterinburg and soon charged with spying. The Russian Foreign Ministry claimed he was "caught red-handed while trying to obtain secret information" and "using his journalistic status as a cover for illegal actions," a charge strenuously denied by Gershkovich, the Wall Street Journal and U.S. officials. He appealed his pretrial detention in April, which was rejected by the court.
His detention has sparked an uproar in the U.S., with congressional leaders of both parties issuing rare statements demanding his immediate release. President Biden has condemned his continued imprisonment and spoke to his family in April. The U.S. ambassador to Russia visited Gershkovich in the prison where he is being held last month.
Gershkovich is the first U.S. journalist to be detained for alleged spying in Russia since the Cold War. The detention of U.S. citizens has become a key point of leverage for the Kremlin as it seeks to maintain its war effort in Ukraine while under crippling sanctions by the West. WNBA star Brittney Griner was released in a prisoner exchange with the U.S. last year, a deal that saw a notorious Russian arms dealer being handed over to Moscow.
The U.S. issued new sanctions in April targeting the Russian security service, known as the FSB, for their role in unlawfully detaining Americans.
At least one other American is currently being wrongfully detained in Russia, according to the U.S. Paul Whelan, an American businessman, has been held behind bars since 2018 and is serving a 16-year prison sentence on espionage charges. He told CNN over the weekend he believes the "wheels are turning" toward securing his release. Whelan has been left out of the prisoner exchanges that saw Griner and another American, Trevor Reed, go free.
veryGood! (628)
Related
- Brianna LaPaglia Reveals The Meaning Behind Her "Chickenfry" Nickname
- Dive-boat Conception captain found guilty of manslaughter that killed 34
- Nevada high court postpones NFL appeal in Jon Gruden emails lawsuit until January
- 5 Things podcast: How can we cultivate happiness in our lives?
- Trump wants to turn the clock on daylight saving time
- Mexico’s Zapatista rebel movement says it is dissolving its ‘autonomous municipalities’
- Ohio is the lone state deciding an abortion-rights question Tuesday, providing hints for 2024 races
- Below Deck Med's Captain Sandy Yawn Suffers Scary Injury Leaving Her Season 8 Future in Jeopardy
- The FTC says 'gamified' online job scams by WhatsApp and text on the rise. What to know.
- Félix Verdejo, ex-boxer convicted of killing pregnant lover Keishla Rodríguez Ortiz, gets life sentence
Ranking
- Federal appeals court upholds $14.25 million fine against Exxon for pollution in Texas
- Dozens indicted on Georgia racketeering charges related to ‘Stop Cop City’ movement appear in court
- Oldest black hole discovered dating back to 470 million years after the Big Bang
- I think Paramount+ ruined 'Frasier' with the reboot, but many fans disagree. Who's right?
- Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
- WeWork seeks bankruptcy protection, a stunning fall for a firm once valued at close to $50 billion
- Starbucks increases US hourly wages and adds other benefits for non-union workers
- Cardinals QB Kyler Murray in line to be activated and start Sunday vs. Falcons
Recommendation
From family road trips to travel woes: Americans are navigating skyrocketing holiday costs
Abigail Breslin Mourns Death of My Sister’s Keeper Costar Evan Ellingson
Former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows sued by book publisher for breach of contract
Baltimore City, Maryland Department of the Environment Settle Lawsuits Over City-Operated Sewage Treatment Plants
Man can't find second winning lottery ticket, sues over $394 million jackpot, lawsuit says
These 20 Gifts for Music Fans and Musicians Hit All the Right Notes
UN Security Council fails to agree on Israel-Hamas war as Gaza death toll passes 10,000
Protests turn ugly as pressure mounts on Spain’s acting government for amnesty talks with Catalans