U.S. ambassador visits Gershkovich - embassy

WASHINGTON. July 3 (Interfax) - U.S. Ambassador to Russia Lynne Tracy has visited Evan Gershkovich, a Wall Street Journal reporter charged with spying in Russia, the U.S. embassy in Moscow said in a statement on Twitter.

"Ambassador Tracy said that Gershkovich is in good health and stays strong despite the circumstances," the embassy said.

"U.S. embassy representatives will continue to give all assistance necessary to Mr. Gershkovich and his family. We are hoping that the Russian authorities will provide permanent consular access," it said.

"The arrest of Gershkovich is unlawful, and the accusations brought against him are unfounded," the embassy said.

"We call for his immediate release. We also call for the immediate release of Paul Whelan," it said.

Earlier, the United States repeatedly accused Russia of denying U.S. consular access to Gershkovich.

In late March, the FSB reported the detention of U.S. citizen Gershkovich, born in 1991. The FSB said at the time that "the American was detained in Yekaterinburg while trying to obtain secret information."

The journalist was later charged with espionage.

According to the FSB, Gershkovich, "acting on the orders of the U.S., was gathering information about a Russian defense plant that constitutes a state secret."

Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov said later that Gershkovich was caught red-handed

Gershkovich pled not guilty, his defense team said.

U.S. authorities said his arrest was illegal and are seeking to secure his release.

The journalist is being held at the Lefortovo pretrial detention facility in Moscow.