INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Foreign Ministry-accredited reporter was detained in late March during a reporting trip in central Russia
decision, the state-run news agency RIA Novosti reported."The court considered the complaint brought by Gershkovich's defense against the
decision to extend his ..
detention, and ruled that the initial decision should be left unchanged and the complaint of the defendant's defense should not be
satisfied," the judge said.Gershkovich appeared in a glass cage in the Moscow court and made a heart symbol with his hands to other
States where he was born, were seen speaking to their son in the courtroom.They declined to speak to assembled reporters.Journalists and
members of the public were removed from the courtroom for the hearing and informed of the ruling via video link in an adjacent room."We were
extremely disappointed by the denial of his appeal," United States Ambassador to Moscow Lynne Tracy said, addressing journalists outside
Moscow City Court."Despite Russian officials' public assertions about Evan's activities, let me reiterate the United States government's
firm position: the charges against him are baseless," she added."He's an innocent journalist, who was carrying out journalistic
activities and has been wrongfully detained."She said Russian authorities have rejected three consular visits to Gershkovich, partly over a
Washington's latest request to visit Gershkovich.Gershkovich worked as a reporter for The Moscow Times from 2017 to 2020.AFP contributed
