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The US ambassador to Russia was granted access to imprisoned Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich in Moscow Monday for the first time since the journalist’s arrest on trumped-up espionage charges last month.

Ambassador Lynne Tracy met with the 31-year-old Gershkovich at the notorious Lefortovo Prison, the US Embassy in the Russian capital announced.

The statement said Tracy’s visit marked the “first time we’ve been permitted access to him since his wrongful detention more than two weeks ago.

“He is in good health and remains strong. We reiterate our call for his immediate release. #FreeEvan,” the embassy’s Twitter post read.

The news about Gershkovich’s health came days after President Biden’s administration said it did not “have a sense” of how the journalist was being treated at the infamously harsh prison.

Gershkovich was arrested in the Russian city of Yekaterinburg on March 29 and accused of attempting to obtain classified information about a military facility. Russia has not provided evidence to support the claim and Gershkovich, the Wall Street Journal and US officials have vehemently denied the charges.


  Journalist Evan Gershkovich has been accused of espionage in Russia. via REUTERS Journalist Evan Gershkovich has been accused of espionage in Russia. via REUTERS

  Evan Gershkovich is being held at Lefortovo, a pre-trial detention center. REUTERS Evan Gershkovich is being held at Lefortovo, a pre-trial detention center. REUTERS

  The US Embassy announced Ambassador Lynne Tracy met with Gershkovich. AP The US Embassy announced Ambassador Lynne Tracy met with Gershkovich. AP

Roger Carstens, the State Department’s special presidential envoy for hostage affairs, said last week that “a lot of options are on the table” when it comes to negotiating the reporter’s release.

“Now that he is [classified as] wrongfully detained, we start to work on negotiating strategies and working with the Russians to find Evan’s release and not only Evan, but Paul Whelan as well,” said Carstens, speaking of the former Marine who has languished in a Russian prison on similar espionage charges for nearly five years.


  Gershkovich’s parents, Mikhail and Ella, and sister, Danielle, told the Journal last week they are “optimistic” the situation will be resolved. The Wall Street Journal Gershkovich’s parents, Mikhail and Ella, and sister, Danielle, told the Journal last week they are “optimistic” the situation will be resolved. The Wall Street Journal

  Evan Gershkovich with his father. The Wall Street Journal Evan Gershkovich with his father. The Wall Street Journal

The special envoy touted the Biden administration’s record of freeing 26 Americans from captivity overseas in 26 months — most notably WNBA star Brittney Griner, who was detained for almost 10 months after being busted with cannabis oil at a Moscow airport in February 2022.

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