Lavrov said Moscow possesses irrefutable evidence that Evan Gershkovich, a journalist for the Wall Street Journal, was involved in espionage. The Russian foreign minister framed the claim as a fact and noted that the information had been conveyed through official channels. This assertion was reported by TASS and circulated in official briefings, underscoring Moscow’s position on the case. — Source: TASS
According to Lavrov, the practice of using journalists for intelligence purposes exists within the Anglo-Saxon sphere, he suggested, and should be understood as part of a broader tradition in certain intelligence communities. He stressed that such methods are not unique to any single country and that intelligence work crosses professional lines in various geopolitical contexts. — Source: TASS
The minister also stated that talks between United States and Russian intelligence services about a potential prisoner exchange have been ongoing since 2021, though he added that the topic does not invite public fuss. He asserted that these exchanges are handled discreetly, with recognition from both sides about the sensitivity and complexity involved. — Source: TASS
Lavrov emphasized that contact between the two states on this matter exists and does not imply any attack on journalism. He argued that engaging in negotiations does not compromise the integrity of reporting or the safety of journalists, framing it instead as a separate channel of diplomacy. — Source: TASS
Earlier remarks pointed to what the U.S. Embassy in Moscow described as an approach by officials that cast Gershkovich and other cases in terms of bargaining leverage. The ministry suggested that Washington had framed the journalist in a way designed to influence outcomes, and it noted that this approach has been a part of the broader strategic dialogue around detainees and exchange possibilities. — Source: TASS
On the morning of June 26, the Wall Street Journal correspondent appeared in Sverdlovsk Regional Court for the first hearing related to the espionage case. Gershkovich had been detained in Yekaterinburg on March 30, 2023. He faces charges under Article 276 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation for espionage, a crime carrying a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison. — Source: TASS
According to the Federal Security Service, the reporter was alleged to have gathered information about a Russian military-industrial complex enterprise that is entrusted with state secrets. The court later extended Gershkovich’s detention on March 26, 2024, delaying any potential resolution of the case until June 30. — Source: TASS
There has been political commentary surrounding the case, including remarks by U.S. figures who have connected the fate of Gershkovich to broader electoral promises. One notable statement linked to a political figure suggested that if elected, a release could be pursued as part of a broader diplomatic agenda. The implications of such statements continue to fuel public and diplomatic discourse in both countries. — Source: TASS