This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-66094040
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Evan Gershkovich: Russia reveals contact with US over jailed journalist | |
| (about 20 hours later) | |
| Russia says it has had "contacts" with the US in the case of jailed American journalist Evan Gershkovich, suggesting the possibility of a prisoner exchange. | |
| It comes a day after the US ambassador to Russia was allowed to meet with Mr Gershkovich for the second time since his imprisonment. | |
| Russian embassy staff also recently visited Vladimir Dunaev, detained in the US on cybercrime charges. | |
| Mr Gershkovich, accused of espionage, was arrested on 29 March. | |
| The US, the Wall Street Journal and Mr Gershkovich deny the spying allegations. He is the first western journalist detained in Russia since the Soviet era. | |
| Russian national Mr Dunaev was extradited to the US from South Korea in 2021, where he faces charges in relation to his alleged role in a transnational, cybercriminal organisation. He has pleaded not guilty to a number of conspiracy, wire fraud and identity theft charges. | |
| Asked about the timing of the two meetings and the possibility of an exchange, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Monday: "We said that there are certain contacts on this matter, but we do not want to make them public, they must be carried out and continued in complete silence." | |
| Mr Peskov also said the legal right to consular visits "must be ensured on both sides". | |
| Russia had been brushing aside US requests for more visits with Mr Gershkovich since the ambassador's initial meeting with the reporter in April. | |
| "Ambassador Tracy reports that Mr Gershkovich is in good health and remains strong, despite his circumstances," a State Department spokesperson said after Monday's visit. | "Ambassador Tracy reports that Mr Gershkovich is in good health and remains strong, despite his circumstances," a State Department spokesperson said after Monday's visit. |
| The 31-year-old is being held at Moscow's Lefortovo prison, a former KGB prison. | The 31-year-old is being held at Moscow's Lefortovo prison, a former KGB prison. |
| The visit comes after a Moscow court rejected an appeal to free Mr Gershkovich on 22 June, a move the US said at the time was extremely disappointing. | The visit comes after a Moscow court rejected an appeal to free Mr Gershkovich on 22 June, a move the US said at the time was extremely disappointing. |
| Up until Monday's meeting, Secretary of State Antony Blinken was pushing Russia "virtually every day" to permit consular access. | Up until Monday's meeting, Secretary of State Antony Blinken was pushing Russia "virtually every day" to permit consular access. |
| This had been a point of contention with the two countries, with the US accusing Russia of ignoring international law by blocking detained Americans diplomatic access. | This had been a point of contention with the two countries, with the US accusing Russia of ignoring international law by blocking detained Americans diplomatic access. |
| Russian court rejects detained US journalist appeal | Russian court rejects detained US journalist appeal |
| Russia had indicated their decision was linked to the US refusing visas to a group of Russian reporters assigned to cover Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov's visit to the UN Security Council in New York. | Russia had indicated their decision was linked to the US refusing visas to a group of Russian reporters assigned to cover Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov's visit to the UN Security Council in New York. |
| The Russian foreign ministry described the decision to deny the visas as an act of "sabotage". | The Russian foreign ministry described the decision to deny the visas as an act of "sabotage". |
| Mr Lavrov said Russia would neither forgive nor forget the decision. | Mr Lavrov said Russia would neither forgive nor forget the decision. |
| Along with Mr Gershkovich, the US has also been advocating for the release of Paul Whelan, a former US Marine who has been in jail for more than four years. | Along with Mr Gershkovich, the US has also been advocating for the release of Paul Whelan, a former US Marine who has been in jail for more than four years. |
| Mr Whelan is in Mordovia, an area far southeast of Moscow known for harsh conditions in its prison camps. | Mr Whelan is in Mordovia, an area far southeast of Moscow known for harsh conditions in its prison camps. |
| "Both men deserve to go home to their families now," the State Department said in a statement. | "Both men deserve to go home to their families now," the State Department said in a statement. |
| After being jailed for 10 months, basketball star Brittney Griner was released in December after the US brokered a prison swap and released Russian Viktor Bout, who was imprisoned in the US over weapons smuggling. | After being jailed for 10 months, basketball star Brittney Griner was released in December after the US brokered a prison swap and released Russian Viktor Bout, who was imprisoned in the US over weapons smuggling. |
| Mr Blinken has said the US is exploring ways to bring home "many other Americans who are being detained in different parts of the world in an arbitrary fashion". | Mr Blinken has said the US is exploring ways to bring home "many other Americans who are being detained in different parts of the world in an arbitrary fashion". |
| Related Topics | Related Topics |
| Press freedom | Press freedom |
| Russia | Russia |
| Moscow | Moscow |
| United States |
Previous version
1
Next version