Russian Officials Criticize The Wall Street Journal for Alleged Disinformation and Espionage Claims
In Moscow, a high-ranking official asserted that The Wall Street Journal has been circulating false information about Russia. The statement pointed to the publication’s correspondent and US citizen Evan Gershkovich, who was detained in the Russian Federation on espionage charges. The official warned that if the newspaper continues to publish what he described as non-journalistic content and disinformation about Russia, the editors may show no regard for Gershkovich’s situation. The remarks came as one of several recent instances in which the foreign newspaper has been accused of publishing material that allegedly misrepresents events in Russia. Attribution: Source remarks from a Moscow-based government spokesperson, as reported by state media.
Earlier, on May 23, the Moscow Lefortovo Court extended the detention of Evan Gershkovich, an American reporter for The Wall Street Journal, who faces espionage charges. The court granted a three-month extension, keeping Gershkovich in custody until August 30. The decision followed a request from an FSB inspector, reflecting the ongoing legal process surrounding the case. Attribution: Moscow Lefortovo Court ruling and FSB-provided briefing.
According to the Center for Public Affairs of the Federal Security Service, Gershkovich allegedly acted under American direction, gathering information about Russia’s military-industrial complex, a matter described as a state secret. Gershkovich was detained at the end of March 2023 in Yekaterinburg, with officials outlining the charges and the context for the investigation. Attribution: FSB Center for Public Affairs briefing and official case statements.