Russian Presidency spokesman Dmitry Peskov assured that the government is not behind the arrest at the end of March of US journalist Evan Gershkovich accused of espionage.

“No, it is not the prerogative of the president. It is the special services that take care of it, that do their job,” replied Peskov, who was questioned about this at the daily press conference.

“This journalist has been caught in the act,” he repeated.

“Evan is a beloved son and brother,” said the family of a journalist detained in Russia

This followed Bloomberg’s publication that Putin had approved the arrest, sources “with knowledge of the matter” said.

The Russian security services (FSB) announced on March 30 the arrest of the Wall Street Journal’s Moscow correspondent while reporting in Yekaterinburg, some 1,100 miles east of Moscow.

Russia accuses him of espionage and imprisons him in Moscow’s Lefortovo Prison.

The journalist’s family issued a statement on Tuesday asking for his release and thanking them for the call they received from Biden. “Evan is not only a prominent journalist, but also a loving son and brother. There is a hole in our hearts and in our family that will not be filled until we are reunited. We are grateful for the support of his colleagues, friends and everyone who supports Evan and calls for his immediate release.”