Russian authorities confirmed Wednesday that they are in »working» contact with the United States over the situation of American journalist Evan Gershkovich, detained in Yekaterinburg for alleged espionage.
»Yes, of course. On a working level,» Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Riabkov said after being asked whether such contacts exist, before adding that this fact does not change Moscow’s position on the case, Russian news agency TASS reported.
Earlier Tuesday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that the United States »can and must protect the rights» of American journalist Evan Gershkovich, but reiterated that »it will be a court that will make a decision» on the case.
Peskov’s words came hours after the U.S. State Department officially labeled the case of the journalist, who works for The Wall Street Journal, as »wrongful imprisonment».
Gershkovich had been gathering information about the Wagner Group, owned by oligarch Yevgeni Prigozhin, who is considered a close associate of Russian President Vladimir Putin and who has sent mercenaries to Ukraine and other countries.
Source: (EUROPA PRESS)
