Lynne Tracy stated that she met with Evan Gershkovich, age 31, on Monday, marking the first time US officials were granted access to him. According to the US ambassador to Russia, a journalist detained by Russia on suspicion of espionage is in “good health.”
Mr. Gershkovich was accused of espionage on March 29 while working for the Wall Street Journal (WSJ).
He denies committing any wrongdoing and will file an appeal against his detention on Tuesday.
US consular officials were initially denied access to Mr. Gershkovich, and Ms. Tracy stated that Monday’s visit was “the first time we’ve been permitted access to him since his wrongful detention more than two weeks ago.”
“He is in good health and remains strong,” she added.
If convicted of espionage, Mr. Gershkovich faces up to twenty years in prison. Russia asserts he attempted to obtain classified defense information for the United States government.
Moscow has never before accused an American journalist of espionage since the fall of the Soviet Union.
Initially, US officials were denied access to Mr. Gershkovich, but WSJ attorneys were able to meet with him.
His employer stated that “everything possible” was being done to support Evan and his family.
According to the WSJ, he lost contact with editors for the first time on March 28 while he was working in the Russian city of Yekaterinburg.
According to Reporters Without Borders, he was documenting the Russian mercenary group Wagner in the city, which has participated in some of the fiercest fightings in eastern Ukraine.
Last week, the United States deemed him to be “wrongfully detained” by Russia, allowing for additional resources to be devoted to securing his release.
Numerous politicians in the United States have called for Mr. Gershkovich’s urgent release, including Vice President Joe Biden, who stated on Tuesday that his detention was “completely illegal.”
Mitch McConnell and Chuck Schumer, the Republican and Democratic leaders of the Senate, issued a rare joint statement condemning his detention.
“We demand that the baseless, fabricated charges against Mr. Gershkovich be dropped and that he be immediately released.”
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