Russia has formally charged jailed Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich with espionage, Russian state news agency Tass reported Friday. The WSJ reporter has denied the charges.
Gershkovich was arrested last week by Russian authorities who accused him of trying to obtain classified information about a Russian arms factory.
According to the Tass report, a law enforcement source informed the agency that Russia's Federal Security Service, which is the main successor to Russia’s KGB, has officially charged the American journalist with espionage.
The Wall Street Journal has also denied the accusations.
Tass did not specify if the action was taken during a court hearing. The agency quoted its source as saying, “The FSB investigation charged Gershkovich with espionage in the interests of his country. He categorically denied all accusations and stated that he was engaged in journalistic activities in Russia.”
As per Russia’s legal system, the filing of charges means the formal start of a criminal probe.
Another Russian news agency Interfax also reported the development on Gershkovich’s charges citing an unidentified source.
Gershkovich is the first American journalist to be detained in Russia on espionage charges since the Cold War.
(With AP inputs)
