Reporter Gerzhkovic is escorted out of court by police officers in Moscow, March 30. (AP)
WASHINGTON = Michio Yoshida – The US State Department announced on the 2nd that Secretary of State Brinken and Russia’s Foreign Minister Lavrov had a telephone conversation. The US side demanded the immediate release of the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) journalist Evan Gerszkovic, who was detained on suspicion of spying by the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) at the end of March. The Russian side has refused, and it has emerged as a new source of conflict between the United States and Russia.
During the talks, Brinken expressed “serious concern” by condemning the detention of Gerszkovic as “unacceptable,” the State Department said. They also discussed how to create an environment in which diplomats can carry out their duties. He is believed to have asked the ministry not to interfere with meeting with Gerszkovic and confirming his health and other conditions.
“It is unacceptable to politicize this case,” Lavrov said, according to Reuters. He said the court would decide how to treat Gerszkovic.
On March 30, the FSB detained Mr. Gerzhkovic, who was reporting in Yekaterinburg, central Russia, for collecting state secret information on defense companies. WSJ Editor-in-Chief Emma Tucker told US media on the 2nd of this month, “He was authorized by Russia to gather information and report on the situation in Russia as usual. He was arrested completely. It’s an outrage,” he said.
Brinken also reiterated his call for the release of former US Marine Paul Whelan, who is being held in Russian custody.
