Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov is considering granting consular access to Wall Street Journal (WSJ) journalist Evan Gershkovich, who has been arrested in Russia. Moscow has disregarded the US recognition of the journalist’s wrongful detention. Ryabkov said that Moscow would act according to its internal norms and applicable legislative acts. On March 30, the FSB detained Gershkovich in Yekaterinburg for allegedly collecting information regarding a state secret concerning a Russian military-industrial complex. He is arrested under criminal code Article 276, which outlines espionage and carries the possibility of up to 20 years’ imprisonment. The Russian Foreign Ministry said consular access to the journalist might be granted according to the country’s legislation. The WSJ stated that the US authorities would try “creative” methods to secure his release.
The issue of granting consular access to The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) journalist Evan Gershkovich arrested in Russia is under consideration, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said. He argues that the decision of the US authorities to recognize the journalist as wrongfully detained does not matter to Moscow.
“We will not accept any attempts at pressure, and it does not matter to us what status the so-called person is given in Washington. We will act in accordance with our own internal needs, norms, legislative acts applicable to this situation, nothing more,” said the deputy minister (quoted by RIA Novosti).
The FSB announced the detention of Mr. Gershkovich in Yekaterinburg on 30 March. According to the intelligence service, the journalist collected information regarding one of the enterprises of the Russian military-industrial complex, which constitutes a state secret. He is arrested under Art. 276 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (espionage), he faces up to 20 years in prison.
On April 4, he met with lawyers in the pre-trial detention center. The Russian Foreign Ministry said that consular access to the journalist would be provided “subject to the legislation” of the country. According to the WSJ, the US authorities are ready for “creative” methods to release Evan Gershkovich.
Details – in the publication “Kommersant” “The American journalist was given status.”
The situation with Wall Street Journal journalist Evan Gershkovich’s arrest in Russia continues to unfold, with the decision on granting consular access still under consideration. Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov has made it clear that Moscow will not be swayed by the US authorities’ recognition of Gershkovich as wrongfully detained. The journalist is facing a potentially lengthy prison sentence, having been arrested under espionage charges. As the debate over consular access and potential solutions continues, the international community will be closely monitoring the situation to ensure that justice is served.
