WSJ reporter Gershkovich ‘caught in the act’

Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reporter Evan Gershkowitz was caught in the act. This was stated by the Russian President’s press secretary Dmitry Peskov, transmits CASS.
“As far as we know, he was caught in the act,” a Kremlin spokesman said. Peskov added that the Kremlin monitors foreign media and is aware of Gershkovich’s publications. “We take note of what is published,” the spokesperson said, responding to a question about the attitude towards these documents.
According to Peskov, the situation with the detention of Gershkovich should not affect the work of Russian offices abroad, especially in the United States. “We hope it doesn’t happen and it shouldn’t happen. Because I repeat once again: it is not about suspicion, but about the fact that he was caught red-handed”, estimate Peskov “Interfax”.
He also has noted that the Kremlin sees no obstacle to the continued work in Russia of WSJ employees who carry out “normal journalistic activities”.
Evan Gershkovich, a reporter from the WSJ’s Moscow bureau, was arrested in Yekaterinburg on suspicion of collecting classified information about a military-industrial complex enterprise. He faces up to 20 years in prison in a criminal case of espionage (article 276 of the penal code). According to the FSB, Gershkovich acted on instructions from the US government. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova wrote that Gershkovich’s activities “have nothing to do with journalism.”
The WSJ editorial said it “categorically denies” the FSB charges and demanded Gershkovich’s immediate release. The publication also expressed concern for the journalist’s safety.