The Russian security service FSB accuses the American of having spied on “his country’s behalf”.
“He categorically denies all accusations and states that he carried out journalistic assignments in Russia,” a police source said, according to the state-controlled Tass news agency.
Evan Gershkovich, who works for the American newspaper The Wall Street Journal, was arrested in Yekaterinburg at the end of March, on suspicion of espionage.
The arrest and detention have been met with strong condemnation from the West. The White House has called the accusation against the journalist “ridiculous”, and the EU’s foreign affairs chief has criticized Russian authorities for “once again showing their systematic disregard for media freedom”.
According to Russia, the reporter was caught red-handed and has been guilty of espionage.