Discussions about a possible prisoner exchange involving the Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich should be completed “in silence”, the Kremlin has said.
The journalist, a US citizen, was arrested in Russia in late March 2023 on suspicion of espionage.
The 32-year-old was on a reporting trip at the time. Both Gershkovich and his employer have denied the allegations.
The US government has also declared him to be wrongfully detained.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters today: “We do not have information about the court – it is not our prerogative.
“As for exchange matters, we have repeatedly stressed that there are certain contacts, but they must be carried out in absolute silence.”
The comments come just days after Gershkovich’s pre-trial arrest was extended by a Moscow court until 30 June.
After the hearing, the US ambassador in Moscow said the outcome felt “particularly painful, as this week marks one year since Evan was arrested and wrongfully detained”.
Lynne Tracy said: “Evan’s case is not about evidence, due process, or rule of law.
“It is about using American citizens as pawns to achieve political ends.”
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