In a recent development, an appeal from Wall Street Journal reporter, Evan Gershkovich, who has been held for over six months on espionage allegations, has been dismissed by a Russian court. This decision implies Gershkovich will remain in pre-trial detention.
As reported by Russian state-affiliated news outlet TASS, the court examined the appeal against the decision to extend Gershkovich’s period of detention, but chose to let the initial ruling stand. The defense lawyers’ complaint found no favor with the court.
Gershkovich was ordered to be detained in March under Article 276 of the Russian Criminal Code for two months on espionage charges. The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) alleges that Gershkovich acted under the directive of American authorities to gather information related to Russia’s military-industrial complex. If convicted, Gershkovich could face up to 20 years in prison.
Pretrial detention charges were extended until August 30 by the Lefortovo Court of Moscow in May. In August, the same court extended his detention again until a trial scheduled for November 30.
Stephanie Holmes, the deputy chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, attended the recent hearing. The U.S. Embassy has since expressed their disappointment that the appeal to extend Gershkovich’s detention was denied, subsequently calling for his release.
In an effort to lobby for Gershkovich’s release, a bipartisan group of U.S. senators introduced a resolution in September. Led by Senators Jim Risch (R, ID) and Ben Cardin (D, MD), the resolution calls for Moscow to “provide full, unfettered, and consistent consular access, in accordance with its international obligations, to Evan Gershkovich while he remains in detention.”