US-based journo detained in Russia for alleged spying
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Moscow: A Moscow court sent a US Journalist for two months' detention on suspicion of spying while a possible trial lies pending, Agence France-Presse reported.
On Thursday, Evan Gershkovich, reporter for the Wall Street Journal Evan Gershkovich was placed in detention until May 29 2023, at Moscow Lefortovsky district court. There are chances that his detention could be extended at the end of the said period.
Gershkovich's case has been classified "top secret" while the US journalist said he was not guilty of the allegations, state-run TASS news agency reported, citing a law enforcement source.
The FSB security service in Russia informed the journalist's arrest and said that he was a suspect of spying in the interest of the American government.
Meanwhile, the Wall Street Journal said that it is deeply concerned for the journalist's safety. Media watchdog Reporters Without Borders said that it was alarmed by "what looks like retaliation".
Evan Gershkovich worked for Agence France-Presse before he joined the Wall Street Journal last year. He is a fluent Russian speaker and was a reporter based in the Russian capital for The Moscow Times.