U.S. Ambassador to Russia Lynne Tracy met with jailed Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich on Monday, a State Department spokesperson stated, in her third such go to since his March detention on espionage prices he denies.
“Ambassador Tracy said that Evan continues to appear in good health and remains strong, despite his circumstances,” the spokesperson stated, including that it was Washington’s expectation that Moscow would supply continued consular entry.
“Once again, the United States calls on the Russian Federation to immediately release Evan Gershkovich and also to release wrongfully detained U.S. citizen Paul Whelan,” the spokesperson added.
Russia has stated Gershkovich was caught attempting to acquire navy secrets and techniques whereas on a visit to the Russian metropolis of Yekaterinburg, however has offered no particulars supporting that assertion. The Wall Street Journal additionally denies the allegations.
The State Department has designated Gershkovich and Whelan as wrongfully detained and described the fees in opposition to each males as baseless. Whelan, a former U.S. Marine detained in Moscow in 2018, is serving a 16-year sentence in a Russian penal colony on espionage prices.
Russia has agreed up to now to high-profile prisoner exchanges with the United States, most not too long ago final yr when American basketball star Brittney Griner, sentenced in Russia on a drug cost, was exchanged for Viktor Bout, a Russian arms trafficker convicted within the United States.
But Moscow has stated no trade might happen in Gershkovich’s case till a verdict has been reached. No date has thus far been set for his trial.
U.S.-Russian relations are at their lowest level in additional than six many years following Russia’s February 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Source: www.anews.com.tr
