Russian spying charges against U.S. reporter 'ridiculous' -WH

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1 年前

STORY: "These espionage charges are ridiculous. The targeting of American citizens by the Russian government is unacceptable," Jean-Pierre said.

Russia on Thursday charged an American correspondent for the Wall Street Journal with spying, in a case certain to worsen Moscow's diplomatic feud with Washington over the war in Ukraine and likely to further isolate Russia.

The newspaper denied the allegations and demanded the immediate release of "trusted and dedicated reporter" Evan Gershkovich. The White House said the State Department was in direct contact with the Russian government over his detention and urged U.S. citizens living or traveling in Russia to depart immediately.

Gershkovich, a 31-year-old who has worked in Russia as a journalist for six years, is the highest-profile American arrested there since basketball star Brittney Griner, who was freed in December after 10 months in jail on drugs charges.