ISTANBUL
US ambassador Lynne Tracy on Monday met Evan Gershkovich, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reporter detained by Russia, at the Lefortovo Prison in Moscow.
“I visited WSJ’s Evan Gershkovich today at Lefortovo Prison – the first time we’ve been permitted access to him since his wrongful detention more than two weeks ago,” Tracy said, according to a statement by the US Embassy in Russia on Twitter.
She added that Gershkovich is “in good health and remains strong,” reiterating Washington’s call to Moscow for his “immediate release.”
Gershkovich was held by Russia’s Federal Security Force on March 30 in the city of Yekaterinburg on charges of “spying in the interests of the American government.”
US President Joe Biden described the arrest as “totally illegal,” while Secretary of State Antony Blinken designated Gershkovich as “wrongfully detained.”
The WSJ has also denied the allegations against him, and called for his immediate release.
Russia, however, says he was caught red-handed and his case will be dealt with according to the law.
