The U.S ambassador to Russia and a prime Russian diplomat met Thursday to debate a Wall Street Journal reporter who was arrested final week on espionage costs, the Russian Foreign Ministry mentioned.

In the assembly with U.S. Ambassador Lynne T. Tracy, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov pressured “the serious nature of the charges” in opposition to American journalist Evan Gershkovich, in line with a ministry assertion.

“It was emphasized that he was caught red-handed while trying to obtain secret information, using his journalistic status as a cover for illegal actions,” the assertion mentioned.

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.”

Gershkovich, 31, was arrested in Yekaterinburg, Russia’s fourth-largest metropolis, on March 29. He is the primary U.S. correspondent because the Cold War to be detained for alleged spying.

Russia’s Federal Security Service accused Gershkovich of making an attempt to acquire categorised details about a Russian arms manufacturing unit. The Journal has denied the accusations.

Lawyers representing Gershkovich met with him Tuesday for the primary time since his detention, in line with The Wall Street Journal. Editor-in-Chief Emma Tucker mentioned the paper was inspired by the go to and Gershkowich’s household is “relieved to know we finally have contact with Evan.”

“Evan’s health is good, and he is grateful for the outpouring of support from around the world. We continue to call for his immediate release,” Tucker mentioned in a be aware to the newsroom Tuesday.

Gershkovich was ordered held behind bars for 2 months in Russia pending an investigation. A Moscow court docket mentioned Monday that it had acquired a protection enchantment of his arrest; the enchantment is to be heard on April 18, Russian information businesses reported.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Sunday - throughout a uncommon telephone name between the diplomats because the begin of the Ukraine struggle - to launch Gershkovich instantly, in addition to one other imprisoned American, Paul Whelan.

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