It was at the end of March that Wall Street Journal journalist Evan Gershkovich was arrested in Yekaterinburg by the Russian security service FSB, which suspects him of espionage. He himself has denied all charges and appealed his detention.

On Tuesday, he was heard in court for the first time – and denied release from Russian prison. This means that he will remain in a Russian prison until 29 May. He will not be able to be granted bail, transferred to another prison or to be under house arrest instead of prison.

Gershkovich: "Do not lose hope"

According to the Wall Street Journal, similar prosecutions in Russia almost always end with a verdict. Nevertheless, Gershkovich and his family have shown hopeful.

In an interview with the newspaper, Gershkovich's mother Ella Milman, who herself grew up in the former Soviet Union, says she believes her son will be released. He himself seems to have the same optimism.

"I am not losing hope," he wrote in a letter to the family obtained by the Wall Street Journal.

Risking 20 years in prison

Evan Gershkovich is the first American journalist to be arrested for espionage in Russia since the Cold War. Russian authorities have said he was "caught red-handed" for spying for the United States. No evidence of the allegations has yet been presented.

If convicted, Evan Gershkovich faces up to 20 years in prison.

US authorities have denied the allegations. The Wall Street Journal also stands behind the journalist, claiming that he was in Yekaterinburg for a job.

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Evan Gershkovich: the first American journalist to be arrested for espionage in Russia since the Cold War.