A Russian court has upheld the detention of Evan Gershkovich, an American journalist arrested on spying charges as part of a sweeping Kremlin crackdown on dissent.
The Wall Street Journal reporter, who reported on the Ukraine war from Russia, is the first correspondent from the United States since the Cold War to be detained in Russia on spying allegations. Gershkovich and the US government vehemently deny the allegations.
Dozens of journalists on Tuesday crowded into the courtroom to catch a glimpse of Gershkovich, who smiled and looked calm as he stood inside a glass enclosure to appeal his detention, Al Jazeera reports.
Russia’s FSB security service arrested Gershkovich on March 29, accusing him of trying to obtain classified information about a Russian arms factory.
If convicted, Gershkovich could face up to 20 years in prison.
