WSJ Reporter Evan Gershkovich's Appeal Denied, Remains Detained in Moscow

The Moscow City Court has declined to hear the appeal of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who has been detained in Russia on spying charges since March. Gershkovich's pre-trial detention was extended until November 30, and the details as to why the court declined to hear his appeal are unclear. The case is expected to be returned to a lower court, and an appeal will have to be resubmitted. The U.S. Ambassador to the Russian Federation, Lynne Tracy, stated that the accusations against Gershkovich are unfounded, and that journalism is not a crime. The U.S. has deemed his detention as "totally illegal," and the House of Representatives has called for his immediate release.