He Moscow Urban Court has rejected the defense appeal against the arrest of the Wall Street Journal correspondent Evan Gershkovich, accused in Russia of espionage, and keeps him in pretrial detention. The verdict involves “leaving unchanged the trial court’s decision on the injunction in the form of arrest for Gershkovich,” the court noted.

The American’s defense had appealed the two months of preventive detention imposed on the reporter on March 30 during his initial appearance before the judge. Gershkovich’s lawyers, who They asked to change the precautionary measure from preventive detention to house arrestrevealed the willingness of the Dow Jones company, owner of the WSJ, to post a bail of 50 million rubles (about $612,000).

Gershkovich, who complies with the precautionary measure in Lefortovo prison, appeared today with a smile in sight inside a glass chamber in the presence of numerous journalists. When asked by the court whether he needs the court decision translated for him, Gershkovich replied that “there is no need for it,” because it was clear. The journalist’s lawyers reiterated that his client continues to reject the charges against her.

“He will defend the right to do journalism, that’s fine and he thanks everyone for their support,” said lawyer Tatiana Nozhkina. She added that the reporter reads “War and Peace” by Leo Tolstoy, plays sports and watches TV in prison.

The court came US Ambassador to Russia Lynne Tracy, who was able to visit his fellow citizen the day before after receiving authorization from Moscow. “The accusation is not based on anything and we will continue to demand that Russia release him,” said the ambassador.

The spokeswoman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, María Zajárova, warned on Monday that those diplomats who create division in Russian society will be expelled after dozens of Western diplomats appeared at the trial against the opponent, Vladimir Kara-Murzá, who was sentenced to 25 years in prison.

This Tuesday the Russian Foreign Ministry summoned Tracy together with the ambassadors of Canada and the United Kingdom for “interference” in the internal affairs of Russia.

The Federal Security Service (FSB, formerly KGB) formally accused the American journalist of espionage on the 7th.

Tens of Russian independent journalists wrote a letter demanding his release and qualifying as free the accusation of espionage under article 276 of the criminal code, a charge that carries up to 20 years in prison.

Both the White House and The Wall Street Journal have denied the Russian security forces’ accusations against their correspondent and have demanded his immediate release.