Russia has not granted US consular officials access to Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich since he was detained late last month and is in violation of international law, State Department deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel said on Monday.
Patel told reporters at a regular press briefing that Moscow had over the weekend formally notified Washington of the detention, but the United States is still seeking consular access to Gershkovich who has been detained since March 29 on espionage charges.
"At this point it is a violation of Russia's obligations under our consular convention and a violation against international law," Patel said. "We have stressed the need for the Russian government to provide this access as soon as possible."