WSJ Reporter In Russian Court: Moscow Judge Rules Evan Gershkovich Will Remain Behind Bars

A Moscow court rejected an appeal against the continued detention of Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reporter Evan Gershkovich who is being charged with espionage, the first time Russia has accused an American journalist of spying since the Cold War.

As expected, the Russian court rejected his legal team's offer to free Gershkovich on $615,000 bail or allow him to leave prison for house arrest until his next hearing, which is scheduled for May 29. 

Along with his Russian lawyers, US Ambassador to Moscow, Lynne Tracy was also present in the courtroom, which was the first time Gershkovich has been seen since his March 29 detention.

Both the Biden administration and the WSJ vehemently deny charges that the 31-year-old reporter was engaged in espionage.

President Biden, on his way to Northern Ireland last week, called Gershkovich’s detention “totally illegal” a day after the Department of State formally designated Gershkovich as “wrongfully detained.”

As was the case with WNBA star Brittney Griner who spent 10 months in prison for possessing less than a gram of cannabis oil, an official U.S. determination of “wrongful detention” opens the door for Washington to devote more resources to pushing for   release. This includes immediate consular priority and access to consular officials as well as assurances that detained Americans “are treated in accordance with the law, including human rights law,” according to the State Dept. Griner has called on the Biden Administration to "use every tool possible" to free Gershkovich.

After Tuesday’s hearing, Ambassador Tracy told reporters that she'd been given access to Gershkovich for the first time on Monday and that he was in "good health and remains strong despite the circumstances."

"The charges against Evan are baseless and we call on the Russian Federation to immediately release him," she said, per various news outlets.

One of Gershkovich’s Russian lawyers also sounded optimistic. "He has a fighting spirit," Maria Korchagina said. "He's working out and he knows that people are supporting him."

The National Press Club issued a statement on Gershovich's day in court. 

"We were encouraged to see Evan in court today in Moscow. While it is unlikely the appeal effort by his attorney will have a positive result, it is heartening to see a process taking place that will ultimately lead to his release. We were also pleased to see the U.S. ambassador in the courtroom supporting Evan. And it was great to see that he was moving fine and seemed healthy."