Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov spoke with US Ambassador to Russia Lynn Tracy about the detention of WSJ journalist Evan Gershkovich.
During the discussion, Ryabkov drew attention to the fact that serious accusations had been made against the American. He was caught red-handed trying to obtain classified information, using his status as a journalist as a cover for illegal activities, described as espionage.
“It has also been noted that the hype in the United States around this case, which aims to put pressure on the Russian authorities and the court, which should decide the fate of Evan Gershkovich, is hopeless and senseless,” he said. said the Foreign Office in a statement.
The issue of consular access to Gershkovich is being resolved.
Earlier, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken phoned Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. They discussed the arrest of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Hershkowitz.
Recall that on March 30 it became known that the FSB in Yekaterinburg arrested the American journalist Evan Gershkovich. The WSJ correspondent was suspected of having collected secret state documents on a Russian defense industry company.
Later, the Lefortovo court in Moscow arrested Gershkovich. The court chose a measure of restraint for the American journalist in the form of detention until May 29, 2023. The Gershkovich case is marked “top secret”.
Foreign Office: Ryabkov Discusses Gershkovich Detention With US Ambassador
