The US ambassador to Russia, Lynne M. Tracy, met with Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich being held at Lefortovo Prison in Moscow on Monday, according to the State Department.
It was the first time since April 17 that a US diplomat was able to meet Mr. Gershkovich, who has been detained for more than 13 weeks on accusations that US officials believe to be bogus espionage.
Ms Tracy reported that Mr Gershkovich was in “good health” and remained “strong, despite his circumstances”. Mr. Gershkovich, 31, has been held since late March at Lefortovo, a high-security prison known for its difficult conditions for inmates, including extreme isolation.
The Russian government’s allegations against Mr. Gershkovich have been vehemently denied by the US government and The Journal. The State Department on Monday reiterated that Mr. Gershkovich had been “wrongfully detained” – that is The US government considers him the equivalent of a political hostage.
US officials repeat call for Russia immediately free Mr. Gershkovich and Paul Whelan, 53, a former U.S. Marine whom the U.S. government also alleges was wrongfully detained. He is serving a 16-year prison sentence after being convicted in 2020 on espionage charges.
Having lived in Russia for nearly six years, Mr. Gershkovich was first arrested on March 29 during a news trip to the central Russian city of Yekaterinburg. Thursday will be his 100th day in custody.
If convicted of espionage and Russian prosecutors fail to present evidence, Gershkovich could face up to 20 years in prison.
In June, a court in Moscow rejected an appeal by the journalist’s lawyers to end his pre-trial detention, which had been extended until August 30. Ms. Tracy attended that trial, along with Mr. Gershkovich’s parents, Ella Milman and Mikhail Gershkovich.
