Russia Denies Consular Visit to Jailed US Journalist Evan Gershkovich

Evan Gershkovich, an American Wall Street Journal reporter detained on espionage allegations, has been denied a consular visit by the Russian foreign ministry.

The ministry stated that it denied the request for the 11 May visit as retaliation for the United States’ refusal to grant visas to Russian journalists who intended to accompany Sergei Lavrov on his trip to the United Nations.

Since his detention on March 29 by Russia’s security service on espionage charges that he, his employer, and the United States government have denied, Gershkovich has been detained.

Since the end of the cold war, he is the first correspondent to be detained in Russia on espionage charges. His detention shook journalists in the country and provoked outrage in the west.

The United States has proclaimed Gershkovich’s detention unlawful and demanded his immediate release.

Following Lavrov’s warning that Moscow “will not forget and will not forgive” the denial of visas to Russian journalists, Russia denied the United States’ request for a consular visit with Gershkovich.

The foreign ministry stated on Friday that it was also contemplating additional measures of retaliation.