The Kremlin said on Monday (17) that contacts had taken place with the United States about a possible prisoner exchange involving Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, but that negotiations should remain away from the media.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov cited President Vladimir Putin’s remarks earlier this month at a meeting with senior editors from international news agencies. Putin then said that Russia and the United States were in contact on the issue.
“I want to remind you again of the president’s conversation with the heads of intelligence agencies in St. Petersburg – he confirmed that there are such contacts,” Peskov said.
“They continue, but they must continue to be conducted in complete silence… Therefore, no announcement, statement or information on this matter can be provided.”
When asked for what reasons Gershkovich’s espionage trial would be held behind closed doors, Peskov said he could not comment on such matters as it was a decision made by the court.
“This is a court decision. We cannot comment on it,” Peskov said.
Gershkovich, 32, was detained by the Federal Security Service (FSB) on March 29, 2023, at a steakhouse in the Ural city of Yekaterinburg, 1,400 km from Moscow, on espionage charges that could carry a sentence of up to 20 years in prison.
The first American journalist to be detained on spying charges in Russia since the Cold War more than three decades ago, Gershkovich has repeatedly denied the allegations.
Source: CNN Brasil
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