Moscow Court Declines To Hear WSJ Reporter Evan Gershkovich’s Latest Appeal
Gershkovich, who works for the Wall Street Journal, was arrested on March 29 on espionage charges, which carry a sentence of up to 20 years in prison.
A Moscow court refused to hear American journalist Evan Gershkovich’s most recent appeal against his pre-trial detention on September 19.
Gershkovich, who works for the Wall Street Journal, was arrested on March 29 on espionage charges, which carry a sentence of up to 20 years in prison. This is the third time he has appealed, after two previous attempts in April and June, according to NBC News.
The court returned the appeal to a lower court, reportedly citing procedural violations.
The U.S. has designated Gershkovich as wrongfully detained, with many believing his imprisonment is politically motivated.
‘It is unacceptable that Evan Gershkovich and Paul Whelan still languish in Russian prisons on charges that are baseless,’ U.S. Ambassador Lynne Tracy told reporters on September 19. Whelan is a former Marine who is also being held in Russia after being convicted of espionage charges in 2020.
Tracy promised to keep fighting for the men's freedom. ‘The United States will not rest until Evan and Paul are safely at home with their families and friends.’
__
By KENADEE MANGUS