SOCHI. June 22 (Interfax) - The Russian side has received another request for a consular visit to reporter for the Wall Street Journal's Moscow bureau Evan Gershkovich, accused of espionage, and is now considering it, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told reporters in Sochi on Thursday.
"We have received it [a request]. It is now being considered. A request has been received. There is no decision yet, but it is under consideration," Ryabkov said.
On March 29, the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) reported the detention of Gershkovich, born in 1991. The journalist is charged with espionage. According to the FSB, Gershkovich, "acting on the orders of the U.S., was gathering information about a Russian defense plant that constitutes a state secret."
The FSB said at the time that "the American was detained in Yekaterinburg while trying to obtain secret information."
Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov said later that Gershkovich was caught red-handed
Gershkovich's defense said that he denied all charges.
The U.S. authorities described Gershkovich's arrest as unlawful, pledging to seek his release.
The journalist is being held at Moscow's Lefortovo prison.
On Thursday, June 23, the Moscow City Court will consider an appeal against the arrest of Gershkovich.