Evan Gershkovich: Wall Street Journal reporter’s appeal against pre-trial detention dismissed | world news

A Russian court has dismissed Wall Street Journal journalist Evan Gershkovich’s appeal against his pre-trial detention.

The journalist was officially accused of espionage in Russia earlier this month and has since been held in Moscow’s infamous Lefortovo prison.

Mr Gershkovich, 32, appeared in a Moscow court today to appeal the decision to keep him in a former KGB prison until at least May 29.

The reporter stood in a glass box inside the courtroom with his arms folded and said nothing.

He faces up to 20 years behind bars if convicted.

During his arrest, the Russian Federal Security Service accused him of trying to obtain classified information about a Russian arms factory.

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He became the first journalist from an American media to be arrested for spying in Russia since the Cold War and has always “categorically” denied the allegations.

Sky News correspondent John Sparks said the case today was about his pre-trial detention rather than the “merits of his charges”.

“I assume his lawyers will try to get another custody agreement for him,” he said.

“I think he’s realistically looking at spending a significant amount of time in a Russian prison right now.”

The Wall Street Journal previously said it was “deeply concerned” for the safety of its reporter.