A Moscow courtroom on Tuesday rejected an enchantment from US journalist Evan Gershkovich to be free of pre-trial detention, which means he’ll keep in a former KGB jail till a minimum of Might 29 whereas a spying case in opposition to him is investigated.

Gershkovich, a reporter for the Wall Avenue Journal, denies the espionage fees. He regarded calm and smiled as he stood in a glass and steel cage earlier than the enchantment ruling, sporting a checked shirt together with his arms folded in entrance of him.

Additionally Learn: US journalist stays in Russian detention with out consular entry

His authorized staff urged he be freed on bail of fifty million roubles ($614,000) or positioned beneath home arrest, Tatiana Nozhkina, his lawyer, was quoted as saying by Russia’s RIA information company. She mentioned the courtroom had rejected each recommendations.

Earlier than the listening to bought underway, Gershkovich rotated when one of many Russian reporters within the courtroom instructed him to “Keep Robust!” and relayed to him that everybody mentioned “Hello”. U.S. Ambassador Lynne Tracy stood close by.

When requested by the decide if he wanted translation, Gershkovich mentioned no and that he understood every little thing.

Russia’s FSB safety service arrested Gershkovich on March 29 within the Urals metropolis of Yekaterinburg on espionage fees that carry a attainable 20-year jail sentence for gathering what it mentioned had been state secrets and techniques concerning the army industrial complicated.

The Kremlin has mentioned Gershkovich, the primary US journalist detained in Russia on espionage fees because the finish of the Chilly Battle, was caught “red-handed”.

America has deemed him “wrongfully detained,” his employer and colleagues have mentioned he’s harmless, and President Joe Biden has referred to as his detention unlawful.

Additionally Learn: Russia formally fees WSJ reporter Gershkovich with espionage: Report

His lawyer Nozhkina instructed reporters he was studying Russian literature, including, “He is in a combative temper, denies he’s responsible, and is able to show it.”

Tuesday’s listening to was procedural, protecting how Gershkovich needs to be detained, not the substance of the costs in opposition to him as investigators are nonetheless engaged on the small print of the case.

Gershkovich, the son of Soviet emigres, is being held on the Lefortovo jail, which in Soviet occasions was run by the KGB however is now operated by the Federal Penitentiary Service.

Historically it has been used to carry these suspected of spying and different grave crimes.

U.S. ambassador Tracy mentioned on Monday she had made her first go to to Gershkovich.

“He feels effectively and is holding up. We reiterate our name for Evan’s fast launch,” Tracy mentioned in a press release.

The White Home mentioned it hopes to safe common consular entry to Gershkovich.

Additionally Learn: Household of reporter jailed by Russia on espionage fees spoke to Biden

Washington final week designated Gershkovich as “wrongfully detained”, in impact saying that the spy fees had been bogus and the case was political.

The US hostage envoy has pledged to do “no matter it takes” to deliver dwelling Gershkovich and Paul Whelan, an American ex-Marine who was convicted of espionage in 2020 and has additionally been designated by Washington as wrongfully detained.