Russia’s refusal to give consular access to detained Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich is “inexcusable,” the White House said on Thursday.
“We need to get consular access to Evan,” National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters.
In a meeting with US Ambassador Lynne T Tracy, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov stressed “the serious nature of the charges” against Gershkovich, according to a ministry statement.
“It was emphasised that he was caught red-handed while trying to obtain secret information, using his journalistic status as a cover for illegal actions,” the statement said.
The ministry added that “the hype in the United States around this case, which is aimed at putting pressure on the Russian authorities and the court, which should decide the fate of Gershkovich, is hopeless and senseless”.
A defence appeal of his arrest will be heard on April 18, Russian news agencies reported.
