Moscow court extends WSJ reporter's detention for another 3 months

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) - A Moscow court on Thursday extended the detention of Wall Street Journal (WSJ) correspondent Evan Gershkovich for another three months, according to state media.

"The court granted the petition of the FSB (Russian Federal Security Service) investigator to extend Gershkovich's detention until November 30," the Lefortovo Court of Moscow said, state news agency TASS reported.

The report further said that the court meeting was held behind closed doors due to the case having classified materials.

Gershkovich, a US citizen who worked as a reporter at the WSJ’s Moscow bureau, was arrested by the Federal Security Service in the city of Yekaterinburg in March on espionage charges.

US officials have demanded Gershkovich’s immediate release, with Secretary of State Antony Blinken saying he was “wrongfully detained.”

Russian authorities, however, say Gershkovich was caught “red-handed” and that his case will be dealt with according to the law.

Gershkovich’s detention was previously extended for three months back in May until Aug. 30.