Wall Street Journal Reporter Evan Gershkovich Appears in Russian Court

Evan Gershkovich, an American reporter for The Wall Street Journal whom Russia accuses of espionage, appeared on Tuesday at a hearing in a Moscow court to appeal a ruling that had extended his pretrial detention.

He has been held in Russia since March. The ruling, in August, extended his detention by three months.

He has been detained in Moscow’s Lefortovo prison on espionage charges that he, the U.S. government and The Journal have vehemently denied. The United States has said he is wrongfully detained.

Lefortovo jail is infamous for the near-isolation and often harsh conditions imposed on its inmates. If convicted, Mr. Gershkovich would face up to 20 years in a Russian penal colony.

In photos from the courtroom, Mr. Gershkovich appeared standing in a glass box, wearing a yellow sweatshirt and jeans.

Mr. Gershkovich met on Friday with the U.S. ambassador to Russia, Lynne M. Tracy. His family has appealed to world leaders and the United Nations for help securing his release on charges that it says are false.

A prisoner exchange, such as the one that secured the release of Brittney Griner, an American basketball star, late last year, would not take place until after a verdict is reached in the case, Russian officials have said. Ms. Griner was held for almost 10 months on a cannabis possession charge. The Biden administration is known to be working to secure an early release for Mr. Gershkovich.