Gershkovich was arrested by the Federal Security Service while on a reporting trip in Yekat on March 29 and is being held at Lefortovo prison on charges of espionage.
A judge on Thursday rejected an application for Gershkovich, 31, to be released from a Moscow prison while awaiting trial. Ambassador Lynne Tracy has accused Russia of conducting "hostage diplomacy."
Evan Gershkovich is the first American journalist arrested in Russia on espionage charges since the end of the Cold War.
The Wall Street Journal reporter denies the spying charge, which could lead to a prison sentence of up to 20 years if he is convicted.
The United States says Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich has been wrongfully detained and has called for his immediate release.
“As Americans, we condemn how our fellow citizen, Evan Gershkovich, has been unlawfully arrested and detained by Russian officials,” Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik said.
Gershkovich is the first US journalist detained in Russia on espionage charges since the end of the Cold War.
On World Press Freedom Day last week, Gershkovich’s case received some media attention, but what he needs is not attention but action by Russia: namely, his release.
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