INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Jailed United States journalist Evan Gershkovich has spent 100 days in detention on charges of espionage that he and his employer, The Wall
has since been held at Moscow's Lefortovo Prison, a facility notorious for placing inmates in near-total isolation.If convicted of
espionage, he faces up to 20 years in prison.Some experts have suggested that The Wall Street Journal reporter was arrested in order for
Moscow to have leverage in a future prisoner exchange with Washington.The Kremlin said Tuesday there were "certain contacts" with the United
States over Gershkovich, responding to a question about a possible prisoner exchange.United States Ambassador Lynne Tracy was allowed to
visit Gershkovich in prison on Monday after a gap in visits of more than two months.Russian state media reported that Russian consular
officials were also on Monday given access to Vladimir Dunaev, an alleged cybercriminal extradited from South Korea who is currently in
detention in the United States.Peskov was asked if the coincidence of these visits indicated a possible exchange."There are certain contacts
on this matter but we do not want them made public at all
They should take place and continue in total silence," Peskov said, without giving further details.Following her visit with Gershkovich on
Department spokesperson said.A Moscow court on June 22 rejected an appeal to free Gershkovich from pre-trial detention, which was previously
accused of espionage by Moscow since the Soviet era.AFP contributed reporting.
