Russian embassy representatives are considering the matter of granting consular access to Evan Gershkovich, the US citizen and journalist for The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) who was arrested on suspicion of espionage. According to Maria Zakharova, a representative for the Russian Foreign Ministry, the status assigned to Gershkovich by US authorities does not impact his right to consular access. Zakharova stated that the matter of visitation is currently being evaluated and will be resolved in accordance with consular protocols and Russian law. Gershkovich faces up to 20 years in prison under Article 276 of the Russian Federation’s Criminal Code for allegedly collecting information regarding a state secret related to a military-industrial complex enterprise. Further information regarding the matter can be read in a Kommersant publication titled “The American journalist was given status.”
The issue of visiting the journalist of The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) arrested on suspicion of espionage, US citizen Evan Gershkovich, is being considered by representatives of the embassy, stated Representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova. The status of illegally withheld, assigned by Washington, does not affect the provision of consular access, she noted.
“Question (of a visit.— “uh”) is being considered and will be resolved in due course in accordance with consular practice and Russian legislation,” said Ms. Zakharova. “The status assigned to him by the American authorities in this case does not matter,” she explained.
On March 30, the FSB announced the detention of Mr. Gershkovich in Yekaterinburg. According to her, he collected information regarding one of the enterprises of the military-industrial complex, which constitute a state secret. The journalist was arrested under Art. 276 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (espionage), he faces up to 20 years in prison.
Read more regarding the case in the publication “Kommersant” “The American journalist was given status.”
The case of Evan Gershkovich, the US citizen arrested on suspicion of espionage in Russia, is still ongoing. While the embassy is considering the issue of consular access, the Russian Foreign Ministry has stated that his assigned status by American authorities does not affect his right to receive such access. Gershkovich faces up to 20 years in prison, and the situation remains tense. Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.
