US calls for Russia to free Gershkovich as trial opens

The US Embassy in Moscow called on the Kremlin to release detained Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich as his trial for espionage began behind closed doors on Wednesday.

"This trial is not about evidence, due process, or the rule of law. It is about the Kremlin's use of American citizens to achieve its political goals," the embassy said in a statement on social media.

AFP