Russian Investigators Formally Charge Wall Street Journal Reporter Evan Gershkovich with Espionage

Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich has been formally charged with espionage by Russian investigators, according to Russian state media. Gershkovich, an American citizen whose parents are originally from the Soviet Union, was detained in late March on suspicion of “espionage in the interests of the American government,” the Federal Security Service (FSB) said in a statement.

A representative of the agency said that Gershkovich categorically denied all accusations and stated that he was engaged in journalistic activities in Russia. The representative declined to comment further, as the journalist’s case was marked “top secret,” according to TASS.

A Moscow court has ordered Gershkovich to remain in custody until at least May 28. The Senate’s Democratic and Republican leaders on Friday issued a rare bipartisan statement condemning Russia’s “wrongful detention” of Gershkovich.

The FSB investigation charged Gershkovich with espionage in the interests of his country. The Wall Street Journal has called for Gershkovich’s immediate release, saying he was in Russia to report on the country’s economy and culture.

The case has been seen as a sign of Russia’s increasing tensions with the United States and its campaign against foreign news media. Gershkovich’s detention has been widely condemned by international organizations, including the United Nations, the European Union, and the Committee to Protect Journalists.