The Russian government has officially charged US journalist, Evan Gershkovich with the crime of spying on the country on behave of the American government.
According to Russian news agencies who reported the news on Friday, Gershkovich had denied the espionage charges stating that he was only doing his work as a journalist in the country.
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“FSB investigators charged Gershkovich with espionage in the interests of his country,” state-run agency TASS said, citing a law enforcement source.
“He categorically denied all accusations and stated that he was engaged in journalistic activities in Russia,” TASS said.
Arrest of the Wall Street Journal correspondent had generated a whole lot of outcry from media outlets and rights groups, as well as government officials in Washington.
The Wall Street Journal which is one of the most prestigious news publications in the United States, “vehemently denies the allegations” against its “trusted and dedicated reporter”.
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Moscow had held the case in secret limiting the amount of information available to the public on the court proceeding.
With the relationship between US and Russia strained after the Ukraine invasion, Moscow has been on high alert, cracking down on media activities in the country.
Washington has long accused Moscow of arbitrarily arresting Americans in order to secure the release of detained Russians.
Various media outlets have continued to call on Russia to let go of the Journalist but Moscow had said on Thursday it was “pointless” to try to pressure its government over the case.
US President, Joe Biden however called for Gershkovich’s release on Friday, while calling the accusations against him “ridiculous”.
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