Russia denies US consular visit to jailed journalist Evan Gershkovich

Foreign ministry says move retaliation for US refusing to grant visas to Russian journalists for UN trip

Russia’s foreign ministry has denied a request from the US for a consular visit to Evan Gershkovich, the American Wall Street Journal reporter jailed on espionage charges.

The ministry said it rejected the request for the 11 May visit in retaliation for the US refusing to grant visas to Russian journalists who planned to accompany Russian foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov, on a trip to the UN.