Russian Court Extends Detention Of WSJ Reporter Evan Gershkovich, Held On Spying Charges

Russia has extended the pre-trial detention of American journalist Evan Gershkovich for for an unspecified period. The 31-year-old Wall Street Journal reporter was detained and charged with espionage, the first time Russia has accused an American journalist of spying since the Cold War.

Gershkovich's current detention period was set to expire on August 30. He was arrested  March 29 on espionage charges, which he, the WSJ and U.S. officials vehemently deny.

"Evan's wrongful detention is outrageous, and we continue to demand his immediate release," The Wall Street Journal said in a statement Wednesday.

Since his arrest, Gershkovich has been allowed only three consular visits with U.S. officials. The most recent was August 14, when he met with U.S. Ambassador to Russia Lynne Tracy.

"Ambassador Tracy reported that Evan continues to be in good health and remains strong, despite the circumstances," the U.S. Embassy in Moscow said in a statement, per VOA.

Prisoner Exchange? 

President Biden has said he is "serious about a prisoner exchange," but the White House has also said discussions with the Kremlin on a potential swap have not yet given way to "a pathway to a resolution."

Biden played a prominent role in the release of Brittney Griner who had been playing basketball in Russia for seven years was arrested one week before Russia invaded Ukraine. Griner, sentenced to nine years for possessing cannabis oil in her suitcase at a Moscow airport, was released in December in exchange for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout.

Another Cannabis Prisoner Lingers In Prison

Marc Fogel, who was connected to the U.S. Embassy in Moscow and worked as an English teacher at the Anglo-American School also in Moscow was arrested for possessing medical marijuana, which he'd been prescribed by a physician in Pennsylvania to treat chronic back pain.

Fogel, who is in his 60s, argued that he was not aware that medical marijuana was illegal in Russia.

Despite this, Fogel was sentenced on June 16, 2022, to 14 years of hard labor.