US Ambassador to Russia Lynn Tracy received consular access, and US citizen Evan Gershkovich, accused of espionage, visited the correspondent of the American newspaper The Wall Street Journal in prison. newspaper reports The Wall Street Gazette.
The diplomat met with the journalist on Monday (August 14th), according to the publication.
Previously, the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously adopted a decisionurged Russia to “immediately release” Evan Gershkovich. All 422 congressmen supported this initiative. The resolution calls on the administration of US President Joe Biden to raise the issue of the fate of this American journalist in all his contacts with the Russian authorities and demand his immediate release.
On May 23, the Moscow Lefortovo Court extended the detention of journalist Gershkovich until August 30.
According to the Center for Public Affairs of the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation, Gershkovich, on the instructions of the American side, specifically gathered information about the operation of the military-industrial complex of Russia, which constitutes a state secret. The journalist was detained in Yekaterinburg at the end of March 2023.
A criminal case was opened against 31-year-old Gershkovich under Article 276 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (espionage). An American can be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison under this article of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation if proven guilty.
Previously reported About US attempts to recruit Russian diplomats.