WASHINGTON. May 23 (Interfax) - Commenting on the extension of The Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich's arrest in Russia, the White House once again demanded his release, the CNN television channel said.
"Journalism is not a crime. [...] He needs to be released immediately. [...] He shouldn't be detained at all," Coordinator for Strategic Communications at the United States National Security Council John Kirby told the TV channel.
Washington will continue working hard to ensure Gershkovich's return to the U.S., Kirby said. The U.S. will also continue seeking consular access to the journalist, he said.
On Tuesday, Moscow's Lefortovsky District Court granted investigators' motion and extended the arrest of Gershkovich, charged with espionage, for three more months, until August 30. The hearing was held behind closed doors as the Gershkovich case files are classified.