Russia charges Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, report says - Los Angeles Times
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Russia formally charges Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, report says

The Wall Street Journal journalist Evan Gershkovich
The Wall Street Journal journalist Evan Gershkovich is shown in this undated photo. Russia’s security service arrested the American reporter for the Wall Street Journal on espionage charges, the Federal Security Service said March 30, 2023. The newspaper denied the allegations and demanded his release.
(Associated Press)
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Jailed Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich has been charged with espionage in Russia and has entered his official denial, Russian state news agency Tass reported Friday.

Tass said a law enforcement source informed the news agency that Russia’s Federal Security Service officially charged the American journalist with espionage. Tass did not specify if the action was taken during a court hearing.

In the Russian legal system, the filing of charges means the formal start of a criminal probe.

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Tass quoted its source as saying: “The FSB investigation charged Gershkovich with espionage in the interests of his country. He categorically denied all accusations and stated that he was engaged in journalistic activities in Russia.”

French President Emmanuel Macron has appealed to Chinese leader Xi Jinping to use Beijing’s influence to push Russia to end its war in Ukraine.

April 6, 2023

The source declined further comment because the case was considered secret.

Russian authorities arrested Gershkovich last week and accused him of trying to obtain classified information about a Russian arms factory. The Wall Street Journal has denied the accusations.

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