Russia charges WSJ journalist Gershkovich with espionage, he pleads not guilty

The Russian TASS news agency reported that investigators of the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation have formally charged The Wall Street Journal journalist, US citizen Evan Gershkovich, who was previously detained in Yekaterinburg and arrested in Moscow.

The journalist denied the charges and pleaded not guilty. 

TASS reported that the Lefortovo court arrested the journalist on espionage charges. The case is labeled 'top secret.'

The journalist's lawyer said that the defense representative would appeal the verdict and demand that the investigation familiarize itself with the materials.

• Earlier, the FSB detained The Wall Street Journal journalist Evan Gershkovich in Yekaterinburg, arresting him in a case of espionage. The American newspaper where he works called on the United States to expel the Russian ambassador.

• US President Joe Biden called for the release of The Wall Street Journal journalist Evan Gershkovich.

• It is also reported that Evan Gershkovich, a journalist for The Wall Street Journal detained in Yekaterinburg, was previously under surveillance by Russian special services.