Russia Arrests WSJ Journalist Over Espionage Charges

Russia has arrested a reporter for the Wall Street Journal on espionage charges.

The Federal Security Service (FSB) of Russia said on Thursday that Evan Gershkovich, a US national, was detained in the Ural Mountains city of Yekaterinburg.

It added that the Reporter was suspected of trying to obtain classified information.

 "Gershkovich was collecting classified information about the activities of one of the enterprises of the Russian military-industrial complex that constitutes a state secret," it alleged.

Hours later, Gershkovich was formally arrested at a Moscow court pending trial.

He will be held in pre-trial detention until May 29.

Gershkovich could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted of espionage.

He is the first reporter for a US news outlet to be arrested on spying charges in Russia since the Cold War.