US journalist detained on charges of espionage in Russia

Gershkovich is believed to be the first foreign journalist to be arrested on espionage charges in post-Soviet Russia. Gershkovich, 31, was a child when his family moved from Russia to the United States. Gershkovich is perfectly fluent in Russian. He worked for AFP in Moscow before joining the Wall Street Journal early last year. Besides, Gershkovich also worked for the English-language news website The Moscow Times.

He was arrested in Yekaterinburg, a city about 1,800 km from Moscow, and taken to Moscow. He will be held there until a hearing on May 29.

Reporters Without Borders said Gershkovich was investigating a group of brothers in Russia. These forces are fighting for Russia in the Ukraine war.

However, Russia's Federal Security Service FSB says Gershkovich was arrested "during an attempt to obtain classified information" from the Russian military. The Kremlin and the Foreign Ministry say Gershkovich has been 'caught red-handed'.

A source in Russia's security forces told Russian state news agency TASS that the files Gershkovich tried to take were "top secret". And Gershkovich said he wasn't spying.

The Wall Street Journal said they were concerned about Gershkovich's safety. The Wall Street Journal also rejected allegations by Russia's FSB that Gershkovich was "spying for the interests of the US government." Gershkovich faces a maximum of 20 years in prison if convicted.

The White House condemned Gershkovich's detention. US citizens are advised not to travel to Russia. And those who are now in Russia have been advised by the White House to leave Russia for their own safety. White House spokeswoman Karin Jean-Pierre called the espionage allegations against Gershkovich "ridiculous."

The European Union has criticized the 'persistent disregard' for media freedom in Russia.

Western journalists continue to face obstacles in Russia. Western media workers complain that Western journalists are followed when they go to work outside big cities like Moscow and St. Petersburg.

Many Russian citizens are also afraid to talk to Western media because of strict censorship laws being implemented after the start of the Ukraine war.

Many believe that by arresting Gershkovich, Moscow wants to exchange any of its prisoners in the Western world. There have been several high-profile prisoner exchanges between Moscow and Washington over the past year. Several US citizens are still being held in Russia.

Russia is also arresting Russian journalists on espionage charges. Last year, a leading Russian journalist named Ivan Safronov was sentenced to 22 years in prison for treason.