Russian Judge Agrees to Extend Evan Gershkovich’s Detention for Three Months

MOSCOW — Assembly behind closed doorways, a Moscow courtroom on Tuesday prolonged the arrest of Evan Gershkovich, a Wall Road Journal correspondent accused of espionage, for greater than three months, till Aug. 30.

The refusal of bail and the extension of Mr. Gershkovich’s detention have been extensively anticipated, though Russia has introduced no proof to again the espionage accusation. America authorities and The Wall Road Journal have vehemently rejected the fees, saying that “reporting will not be a criminal offense.”

Mr. Gershkovich’s dad and mom, Ella Milman and Mikhail Gershkovich, waited for greater than an hour outdoors the courtroom earlier than being allowed into the listening to. It was their first sighting of their son since his arrest on March 29.

Afterward, they didn’t touch upon what that they had seen, however have been whisked away within the firm of one in all Mr. Gershkovich’s attorneys. Ms. Milman wore a “Free Evan” button. Earlier than going into the listening to, Mr. Gershkovich’s father mentioned, “We hope he’s doing nice and that he could be as robust as his mom.”

Mr. Gershkovich, 31, has been held on the Lefortovo jail since he was detained on March 29 throughout a reporting journey to the central Russian metropolis of Yekaterinburg. If convicted, Mr. Gershkovich would withstand 20 years in a Russian penal colony.

A prisoner change, such because the one which secured the release of the U.S. baskeball star Brittney Griner late final 12 months, wouldn’t happen till after a verdict is reached within the case, Russian officers have mentioned. Nevertheless, the Biden administration is understood to be working to safe an early launch.

America authorities, The Wall Journal Journal, quite a few colleagues, teams supporting press freedom and outstanding worldwide officers have all condemned Mr. Gershkovich’s detention and referred to as the accusations made in opposition to him totally baseless.

The Journal mentioned in a press release following the listening to that although “we anticipated there could be no change to Evan’s wrongful detention, we’re deeply disenchanted.”

“The accusations are demonstrably false, and we proceed to demand his rapid launch,” it mentioned.

U.S. diplomats had mentioned it was virtually sure that Mr. Gershkovich’s detention could be prolonged on the listening to and his software for bail denied. Even at one of the best of occasions, a pretrial investigation of an espionage case usually takes months, and a 12 months could elapse earlier than a verdict is reached.

Russian-American relations are in a state of acute pressure over the struggle in Ukraine, a battle that’s nonetheless formally referred to in Russia as a “particular navy operation,” and President Vladimir V. Putin has launched into a drive to suppress unbiased information shops and free speech normally.

In Russia, the phrase “struggle” has come for use more and more, however to not describe the invasion of Ukraine ordered by Mr. Putin early final 12 months. Somewhat, it’s used to characterize a broad confrontation with the West — the US, NATO and the European Union — from which there’s, within the prevailing Russian view, no turning again.

Earlier than the arrest of Mr. Gershkovich, Russia had not charged a Western journalist with espionage for the reason that Chilly Warfare. At a hearing in a Moscow courtroom on April 18, journalists have been allowed to enter and noticed Mr. Gershkovich standing in a glass cage, pink handcuff marks seen on his wrist. He flashed a smile and, via his lawyer, declared his willpower to defend his proper to work freely as an accredited journalist.

Lefortovo jail is notorious for the close to isolation and infrequently harsh situations imposed on its inmates. Mr. Gershkovich has been typically remoted, the diplomats mentioned, however his attorneys have been allowed to see him often.

The U.S. ambassador to Russia, Lynne M. Tracy, was allowed to go to Mr. Gershkovich on April 17, beneath intense Russian scrutiny. The Russian authorities have denied two requests for consular entry since.

Two American consular officers have been, after a protracted wait, allowed into the courtroom concurrently Mr. Gershkovich’s dad and mom on Tuesday. Like his dad and mom, they left with out remark.

Dmitri S. Peskov, Mr. Putin’s spokesman, has mentioned that Mr. Gershkovich was caught “red-handed,” however has not elaborated. Russia has not supplied any proof to help the accusation of espionage in opposition to a journalist identified for his deep knowledge of the country.