The issue of detention in Yekaterinburg of The Wall Street Journal journalist Evan Gershkovich, who was suspected of espionage, is the prerogative of the FSB, Presidential Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov told reporters.
According to him, “it is known that [Гершковича — прим. „Росбалта“] caught red-handed,” RBC reports.
Peskov also added that the Kremlin monitors foreign media and is familiar with Gershkovich’s publications. Commenting on whether other WSJ staff in Russia might experience difficulties, the spokesman said that those who “carry out normal journalistic activities” will continue to work “if they have a valid accreditation.”
In response to the question whether the detention of Gershkovich could be a response to the actions of the US Department of Justice, which charged Russian citizen Sergei Cherkasov with espionage, and whether negotiations on their exchange are possible later, Peskov said that he “does not have such information” and he ” nothing to say on this topic.
Recall, the FSB claims that Gershkovich, on instructions from the United States, collected secret data about one of the Russian defense enterprises that constitutes a state secret. The Wall Street Journal denies these allegations and demands the release of the correspondent. The newspaper also expressed concern about his safety.
Source: Rosbalt
Mario Twitchell is an accomplished author and journalist, known for his insightful and thought-provoking writing on a wide range of topics including general and opinion. He currently works as a writer at 247 news agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the industry.
