Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich's appeal denied by Russian court

On Tuesday, a Moscow court rejected the appeal of Evan Gershkovich, an American Wall Street Journal reporter who has been detained in Moscow on alleged spying charges.

According to the New York Times, the court ruled that Gershkovich will remain in a high-security prison until at least the end of June, with no trial date set, indicating that his detention may extend further.

Members of the media were recently permitted to access Gershkovich during his detention. The reporter was seen standing in a glass box while meeting with other reporters. 

Gershkovich was arrested in March last year by Russia's Federal Security Service while he was working as a reporter in the Russian city of Yekaterinburg.

Despite the prolonged detention, the Russian government has yet to provide evidence supporting the espionage charges against Gershkovich. Russian President Vladimir Putin previously claimed that Gershkovich was “receiving classified, confidential information” and “did it covertly.”

Both Gershkovich and The Wall Street Journal have vehemently denied the espionage charges leveled against him. The White House has also publicly stated that Gershkovich is a political prisoner and has been “wrongfully detained.”

“Evan’s freedom is long overdue, and we urge the administration to do everything in their power to secure his release,” the Wall Street Journal said in a statement.

Putin previously claimed in his interview with Tucker Carlson that he is open to negotiations with the United States for the release of Gershkovich. 

"We are willing to solve it but there are certain terms being discussed via special services channels. I believe an agreement can be reached," Putin said to Carlson.