US Ambassador to Russia visits Gershkovich, accused of espionage, for the third time in a pre-trial detention center

US Ambassador to Russia Lynn Tracy visited the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) journalist arrested on charges of espionage in jail for the third time. informs newspaper, citing a statement from the US Embassy in Moscow.

Tracy noted that Gershkowitz “looks healthy and remains strong despite the circumstances.”

The WSJ notes that the visit comes amid disagreements between Washington and Moscow over the consulate’s infrequent access to the American journalist. Previous time Tracy visited Gershkovich at Lefortovo on July 3, she was granted consular access. First meeting with Gershkovich took place three months before.

Gershkovich was detained in Yekaterinburg on March 30. According to the FSB, the journalist collected secret information “about the activities of one of the enterprises of the Russian military-industrial complex.” The Kremlin said that he was “caught red-handed.” The WSJ denied the FSB accusations, specifying that the journalist works in a Moscow bureau and covers events in Russia.

The FSB charged the journalist with espionage (Article 276 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation) on 7 April. The maximum punishment under this article provides for imprisonment for up to 20 years. On April 18, the Moscow City Court recognized Gershkovich’s arrest as legal. During the court session on appealing the measure of restraint, the lawyers asked the court to release him on bail in the amount of 50 million rubles. The Dow Jones Company offered to make this deposit for him.

Tracy dismissed the allegations of espionage against Gershkowitz as “baseless” and had earlier called on the Russian authorities to release him. According to the journalist’s lawyer, he does not admit guilt.