A Moscow court has rejected the appeal of U.S. Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich against the extension of his pre-trial detention until March 30 on spying charges, which he denies. Gershkovich was detained by the Federal Security Service (FSB) on March 29 in Yekaterinburg on espionage charges that carry up to 20 years in prison.

Russian President Vladimir Putin recently mentioned the possibility of Gershkovich's release, but the court's decision means he will spend at least a year in jail. Gershkovich's trial may not begin for months, as Russian prosecutors have significant leeway in such cases. The Biden administration has made efforts to secure his release, but Russia has reportedly rejected significant offers for his and fellow detainee Paul Whelan's freedom.

Whelan, another U.S. citizen detained in Russia since December 2018 on espionage-related charges, was sentenced to 16 years in prison. The State Department continues negotiations to bring both men back home. In a separate case, Texas man David Barnes has been sentenced to 21 years in a Moscow prison for alleged child abuse, a charge he denies.

The court proceedings highlight the challenges faced by Western individuals caught in legal battles in Russia and the diplomatic efforts made to secure their release.