A Russian court has decided to extend the detention of a Wall Street Journal reporter until late August.
A Russian state-run news agency says a court in Moscow ruled on Tuesday that Evan Gershkovich should be kept under arrest for another three months until August 30.
The American journalist was arrested in March for allegedly trying to obtain secret information. He was later charged with espionage, which carries a maximum prison term of 20 years.
Gershkovich has denied all charges, saying he was merely engaged in activities as a journalist. The US government has been calling for his immediate release.
The Russian foreign ministry said in a statement released last Friday to announce retaliatory measures against the US sanctions that Moscow had once again denied consular access to the journalist.