Russia Violates International Law By Denying Reporter Consular Access: US State Department

Russia has denied access to U.S. diplomatic officials since Wall Street Journal reporter Ivan Gershkovich was detained late last month in violation of international law, a State Department deputy spokesman said.-American Vedant Patel on Monday.

Patel told reporters at a regular news conference that Moscow formally notified Washington of the arrest over the weekend, but the United States is still seeking consular access to Gershkovich, who has been held since March 29 on espionage charges.

“At this point, this is a violation of Russia’s obligations under our diplomatic convention and a violation of international law,” Patel said.

In an agreement signed by the United States and the Soviet Union in 1964, a consular officer is allowed to visit a detained or imprisoned citizen of another state within two to four days, depending on his location.

“We insist on the need for the Russian government to grant this access as soon as possible,” Patel added.

The Russian Embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Lawyers for the Wall Street Journal visited the journalist, and the newspaper called for his immediate release.

The US called on Russia to release Gershkovich and dismissed the espionage allegations as ludicrous.