The defense of American journalist Evan Gershkovich, arrested in Russia last week on charges of "
espionage
" which he rejects, appealed on Monday against his detention, a Moscow court said.
“
It is the same lawyer (officially appointed) who represented Gershkovich during his arrest who appealed
,” said a spokeswoman for the Moscow court in Lefortovo.
"
The date of the hearing regarding the appeal of the detention will be announced this week
," she added, adding that the request would be considered by another, higher court.
Custody
Evan Gershkovich, Russian correspondent for the prestigious American daily
Wall Street Journal
and former AFP journalist in Moscow, was placed in pre-trial detention last Thursday until at least May 29.
He was arrested in Yekaterinburg (Urals) by the Federal Security Service (FSB), which accused him of “
espionage
”.
The
Wall Street Journal
and the reporter, respected by his colleagues for his thoroughness, deny these accusations.
Read also“We demand the release without conditions or delay of journalist Evan Gershkovich”
US President Joe Biden called for the journalist's release on Friday, with the White House calling
the espionage charges "
ridiculous ".
Increased repression against the press
His arrest comes in a context of increased repression in Russia against the press since the offensive against Ukraine, which has greatly strained relations between Moscow and Washington.
It also follows an exchange in December between American basketball star Brittney Griner, who was in custody in Russia, and Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, a prisoner in the United States.
Washington has repeatedly accused Moscow of arbitrarily arresting Americans to use as bargaining chip and recover Russians detained in the United States.
