About a week after his arrest in Russia on suspicion of espionage, which the Wall Street Journal strenuously rejects, Evan Gershkovich’s attorneys were requesting to meet the imprisoned journalist on Tuesday.
FACTS OF THE CASE :
All the defendants in Russia are entitled to a defense attorney and regular communication with their legal team. Yet, the Russian government occasionally denies access and makes their communication challenging. This is against legally fundamental rights.
Lawyers for Mr. Gershkovich, a journalist for the Wall Street Journal have been informed by Russian officials that they may visit him on Tuesday afternoon at the Lefortovo prison in Moscow. Consular access to Mr. Gershkovich has not been allowed to representatives of the American Embassy.
Following Mr. Gershkovich’s imprisonment while on assignment in Yekaterinburg, he appeared in court on Thursday for the first time. He was denied access to a lawyer who wanted to represent him.
Members of a state-sponsored group charged with monitoring jail conditions claimed on Monday that Mr. Gershkovich had been visited and had “raised no complaints.” The committee’s assertion could not be independently confirmed by The Journal.
JUDGEMENT :
The immediate release of Mr. Gershkovich is what the US government is demanding. According to White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, the president considers Mr. Gershkovich’s issue to be a top priority. The National Security Council has made this issue of utmost priority. The State Department has made it a top priority as well.
JUDGEMENT REVIEW BY SREYA MARY.
