US journalist Evan Gershkovich appealed the latest extension of his pre-trial detention in Russia on espionage charges Saturday, according to Russian state media. This is Gershkovich’s third appeal, having appealed his previous extension of pre-trial detention and his original arrest and detention in April.
According to Russian state news agency TASS, the Wall Street Journal correspondent filed an appeal of the recent extension of his pretrial detention by three months, extending his period of detention into November. The Moscow Court stated, “The court received an appeal against the decision to extend Gershkovich’s detention until November 30. It will be considered in the Moscow City Court, the date of the meeting will be known later.”
Gershkovich was originally arrested on suspicion of espionage in March. He was officially charged in early April and was denied bail, with a judge ruling he would be detained until late May. In May, the Moscow court extended his pretrial detention until late August. Most recently, the Moscow court extended his detention once again until November 30th. The international community has called for Gershkovich’s release, with the US designating him as “wrongfully detained.” Gershkovich’s colleagues at the Wall Street Journal have shared their support for him, calling for his immediate release.
Gershkovich is one of the first US journalists detained in Russia since the Cold War. However, he is not the only US citizen currently being detained in Russia on espionage charges. Paul Whelan, a former US Marine, has been detained in Russia since 2018, having been found guilty of espionage and sentenced to 16 years in a penal colony. Russia also detained WNBA star Brittney Griner on drug-related charges, eventually releasing Griner after a prisoner exchange was agreed to with the US.
Russia’s human rights record in regards to journalism has been condemned globally, with Reporters Sans Frontieres (RSF), a watchdog that rates overall press freedom, ranking Russia as 164 out of 180 countries, a significant drop in ranking since 2022. RSF cited the lack of privately owned independent news channels, the inaccessibility of many foreign press outlets, the government’s overzealous internet censorship of news sites and “fake news” laws which have been used to punish journalists. RSF also cited several instances of torture, forced exile and even disappearances of Russian journalists.
