Russian court extends Evan Gershkovich’s detention until the end of January

A court in Moscow has extended the detention of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who is facing espionage charges, until the end of January.

The situation: Evan Gershkovich was detained in March while on a reporting trip in Russia and has been accused of collecting state secrets about a Russian military-industrial enterprise.
* The hearing on his detention was held behind closed doors based on the claim that details of the criminal case are classified.
* Gershkovich, the Wall Street Journal, and the U.S. government all deny the charges and call his detention wrongful.

Historical context: Gershkovich is the first American reporter facing espionage charges in Russia since 1986.
* The last case was related to Nicholas Daniloff, a U.S. News and World Report correspondent, who was arrested by the KGB.
* Gershkovich is being held at Moscow’s Lefortovo prison, known for harsh conditions.

Potential implications: Analysts think Moscow may be detaining American citizens like Gershkovich as potential bargaining chips amid rising U.S.-Russian tensions over Ukraine.
* U.S. citizens have been exchanged for jailed Russians in recent years.
* The Russian Foreign Ministry however stated that they will only consider a swap for Gershkovich after a verdict in his trial, which could last over a year.

What they’re saying: Both Gershkovich and The Wall Street Journal have denied the charges, with the U.S. government declaring him to be wrongfully detained.
* No detailed evidence has been provided by Russian authorities to support their charges of espionage.

View original article on NPR
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