32-year-old Gershkovich became the first U. S. journalist who was taken into custody by the Federal Security Service (FSB) on March 29 was charged with spying in Russia, the first such case since the end of the Cold War.
U.S., the Journal, and the reporter. s. officials all contest that he is a spy.
He was apprehended red-handed, according to Russia.
“We do not have information about the court – it is not our prerogative,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters in response to questions concerning when a court would hear Gershkovich’s case or whether there would be a prisoner exchange. “.
Peskov stated, “As for exchange matters, we have repeatedly stressed that there are certain contacts, but they must be carried out in absolute silence,” noting that making public comments was a barrier.
The principal KGB replacement from the Soviet era, the FSB, claimed Gershkovich was attempting to acquire military secrets.
His detention has been extended until June 30. He has now spent nearly a year at the FSB-affiliated high-security Lefortovo prison in Moscow.
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MOSCOW, March 28 (Reuters) – The Kremlin declared on Thursday that talks concerning potential prisoner exchanges involving Evan Gershkovich, a Wall Street Journal reporter who was detained in Russia a year ago on suspicion of espionage, should be kept completely silent.
The 32-year-old Gershkovich was the first U. S. journalist who was taken into custody by the Federal Security Service (FSB) on March 29 was charged with spying in Russia, the first such case since the end of the Cold War.
U.S., the Journal, and the reporter. s. government all contest that he is a spy. Russia claims that they have him in the bag.
“We do not have information about the court – it is not our prerogative,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters in response to questions concerning when a court would hear Gershkovich’s case or whether there would be a prisoner exchange. “.”.
“We have always emphasized that certain contacts must take place in complete secrecy when it comes to exchange matters,” Peskov stated, adding that making public comments would be detrimental.
The primary KGB replacement from the Soviet era, the FSB, claimed Gershkovich was attempting to acquire military secrets.
His incarceration has been extended until June 30 after he spent nearly a year at the FSB-affiliated high-security Lefortovo prison in Moscow.
.
