Russian Court Rejects American Journalist’s Appeal for Release

American journalist Evan Gershkovich appeared in a Russian court on Tuesday. Gershkovich is a reporter for the Wall Street Journal, covering Russia, Ukraine, and the former Soviet Union. Russian authorities have accused Gershkovich of espionage. Gershkovich’s team asked for him to be released from Lefortovo Prison and placed on house arrest. The court denied this request, saying the 31-year-old must stay in custody while awaiting an investigation and trial.