Russia allows detained Wall Street Journal reporter Gershkovich to meet in prison with lawyers

Russian officials have allowed detained Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gerschkovich to meet with attorneys inside the Lefortovo prison in Moscow where he is being held on espionage charges.

The Journal's editor-in-chief, Emma Tucker, says Gershkovich is in good health and she is "encouraged" that the legal team was able to meet with him Tuesday, according to The Hill newspaper.

Tucker also said they were looking at legal options and talks with U.S. officials to free Gershkovich, who was detained last week while in the Ural Mountains.

The newspaper and the U.S. government have denied allegations Gershkovich is a spy.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Tuesday the case is a top priority for the Biden administration. 

"We’re going to continue to call for the release of Evan Gershkovich," she said. "These charges are ridiculous. Evan is not a spy.  Evan has never been a spy.  Evan has never worked for the U.S. government."