Russia's 'Hostage Diplomacy' Unacceptable Says US Ambassador As Wall Street Journal Reporter Loses Appeal In Moscow

Evan Gershkovich lost his appeal against the extension of pre-trial detention in a Moscow Court. His appeal sought to overturn a court ruling in May that extended his pretrial detention for three months, through at least August 30.

The Wall Street Journal reporter was arrested in March and is being detained and charged with espionage, the first time Russia has accused an American journalist of spying since the Cold War. 

US Ambassador Responds

Speaking to reporters outside the Moscow City Court after the hearing, U. S. Ambassador Lynne Tracy made a statement.

“Failing to comply with its obligations under the Consular Convention in force between our two countries, Russia has denied the U.S. Embassy requests for formal consular access on three occasions since I last visited Evan in April,” Tracy said.

“Such hostage diplomacy is unacceptable and we call on the Russian Federation to release him, as well as Paul Whelan, another U.S. citizen who has been wrongfully detained. We call for that release to occur immediately,” the Ambassador continued.

Bail Denied

Gershkovich’s legal team said it offered bail amounting to about $613,000 to the court to release the reporter from detention, but the court denied bail.

“We suggested that the court consider the choice of preventive measures not related to isolation from society, including house arrest, since Evan has a registration in the territory of Moscow; or a ban on certain actions; or a bail in the amount of 50 million rubles,” said his lawyer Maria Korchagina.

Meanwhile, Gershkovich is being held at the notorious Lefortovo prison in Moscow where he faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted on the 

espionage charges, which he, his family and the Wall Street Journal vehemently deny.

Once again Gershkovich’s parents traveled to Moscow for the hearing.

Paul Whelan

A former marine, Paul Whelan was arrested in Russia in 2018 and sentenced to 16 years for espionage charges. It was thought for several months that Whelan would be part of the prisoner exchange that freed WNBA star Brittney Griner last December for Russian arms dealer, Viktor Bout, a former K.G.B. officer and personal friend of Vladimir Putin who is known as the "Merchant of Death." Griner was detained in Moscow for having cannabis oil in her suitcase one week before Russia invaded Ukraine.

Photo: US Ambassador to Russia, Lynne Tracy. US gov photo