A Moscow court refused to hear American journalist Evan Gershkovich’s most recent appeal against his pre-trial detention on September 19. The court returned the appeal to a lower court, reportedly citing procedural violations. ‘It is unacceptable that Evan Gershkovich and Paul Whelan still languish in Russian prisons on charges that are baseless,’ U.S. Whelan is a former Marine who is also being held in Russia after being convicted of espionage charges in 2020. ‘The United States will not rest until Evan and Paul are safely at home with their families and friends.’__By KENADEE MANGUS

Source: Wall Street Journal September 20, 2023 20:54 UTC