US Ambassador to Russia Lynne Tracy met with Wall Street Journal journalist Evan Gershkovich, imprisoned in Moscow’s Lefortovo prison on Monday. This is her third visit to prison since the journalist was arrested in March.
“Ambassador Tracy reported that Evan continues to appear healthy and remains strong despite the circumstances,” the embassy quoted the embassy as saying. USA in the Moscow “Wall Street Journal”. The newspaper did not provide details of the meeting.
Gershkovich’s first meeting with the ambassador took place in April, after which Russia denied access for two months. Tracy accused Russia of conducting “hostage diplomacy”. According to the WSJ, Russian officials have suggested they are willing to consider releasing the journalist in a U.S. prisoner exchange, but first his trial, which could drag on for months, must be passed.
Tracy’s second meeting with the imprisoned journalist took place in early July.
Arrested on espionage charges
Gershkovich, 31, the son of emigrants from the USSR, was detained in Yekaterinburg at the end of March on suspicion of espionage, although no evidence has been presented so far. Both he and his employer, as well as the US administration, deny these allegations.
Reuters, Wall Street Journal
Main photo source: MAXIM SHIPENKOV/EPA/PAP