Evan Gershkovich: US says journalist is wrongfully detained in Russia

The United States has designated writer Evan Gershkovich arsenic being "wrongfully detained" by Russia and called for his contiguous release.

Mr Gershkovich, an experienced Russia reporter, was arrested past month successful the metropolis of Yekaterinburg portion moving for the Wall Street Journal (WSJ).

He has since been formally charged with spying, but the WSJ denies this.

It is the archetypal clip Moscow has accused a US writer of espionage since the Soviet era.

The "wrongfully detained" designation successful the US means the lawsuit volition present beryllium transferred to the bureau of the Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs. This volition rise the illustration of the lawsuit and let the authorities to allocate much resources to securing his release.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken "made a determination that Evan Gershkovich is wrongfully detained by Russia", authorities section spokesperson Vedant Patel said.

He called for the "immediate release" of Mr Gershkovich and condemned "the Kremlin's continued repression of autarkic voices successful Russia, and its ongoing warfare against the truth."

The WSJ said: "The favoritism volition unlock further resources and attraction astatine the highest levels of the US authorities successful securing his release."

"We are doing everything successful our powerfulness to enactment Evan and his family," it added.

Russia has not granted US consular officials entree to Mr Gershkovich, which is successful usurpation of planetary law, Mr Patel told reporters earlier connected Monday.

Last week the Russian overseas ministry said the contented of consular entree was being resolved but added that the "fuss successful the US astir this case, which was aimed astatine pressurising the Russian authorities... was hopeless and senseless".

Mr Gershkovich, 31, is good known among overseas correspondents successful Moscow. BBC Russia Editor Steve Rosenberg describes him arsenic an fantabulous newsman and a highly principled journalist.

The WSJ said its newsman had dropped retired of interaction with his editors connected 28 March portion successful Yekaterinberg.

Russia's FSB information work said it had halted "illegal activities" by detaining the journalist.

Press state watchdog Reporters Without Borders said helium had gone to Yekaterinburg to screen Russian mercenary radical Wagner, which has taken portion successful immoderate of the heaviest warring successful eastbound Ukraine.

According to a study by the James Foley Legacy Foundation, which advocates for the state of Americans being held hostage abroad, astatine slightest 65 Americans were being unfairly detained overseas successful 2022.