(26 Jun 2024)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
++PLEASE NOTE: AP IS OPERATING IN RUSSIA ACCORDING TO RUSSIAN RESTRICTIONS ON ALL REPORTING RELATED TO THE ONGOING MILITARY OPERATION IN UKRAINE++
++STARTS AND ENDS ON SOUNDBITE++
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Moscow – 17 March 2024
1. STILL of Russian Presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov ++OVERLAYS AUDIO IN SHOT 2++
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Moscow – 26 June 2024
2. SOUNDBITE (Russian) Dmitry Peskov, spokesperson for Russian President Vladimir Putin:
“Now, as before, we cannot talk about any signals, and we can only repeat that this topic really loves silence. As for the start of the trial, as you understand, we cannot comment on it in any way. We know that this topic is very, very resonant in the United States, but it is not so resonant within our country. The investigation is underway, the trial is ongoing, so it’s necessary to wait for the verdict.”
++BLACK FRAMES++
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Moscow – 14 December 2023
3. STILL of Peskov ++OVERLAYS AUDIO IN SHOT 4++
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Moscow – 26 June 2024
4. SOUNDBITE (Russian) Dmitry Peskov, spokesperson for Russian President Vladimir Putin:
“We do not accept the jurisdiction of this court, we are not members of the relevant statute. And, accordingly, we do not recognise these warrants (for arrest). Moreover, we consider them quite absurd, like the previous two warrants that concerned the head of state (Russian President Vladimir Putin) and our Children’s Rights Commissioner (Maria Lvova-Belova).”
++ENDS++
STORYLINE:
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov refrained to comment on the opening of the trial of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich on Wednesday, saying only “it’s necessary to wait for the verdict.”
“As for the start of the trial, as you understand, we cannot comment on it in any way. We know that this topic is very, very resonant in the United States, but it is not so resonant within our country,” Peskov said during a conference call with reporters.
Gershkovich went on trial behind closed doors in Yekaterinburg on Wednesday, 15 months after his arrest in the Russian city on espionage charges that he, his employer and the U.S. government vehemently deny.
The hearing ended after about two hours, and the next one was scheduled for Aug. 13, court officials said.
After his arrest on March 29, 2023, Gershkovich was held in Moscow’s notoriously dismal Lefortovo Prison. He has appeared healthy during court hearings in which his appeals for release have been rejected.
Gershkovich faces up to 20 years in prison if the court finds him guilty, which is almost certain.
Asked about the arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court for Russia’s former Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and military chief of staff Gen. Valery Gerasimov for attacks on Ukraine’s power plants, Peskov said that Moscow doesn’t recognise them.
“Moreover, we consider them quite absurd, like the previous two warrants that concerned the head of state (Russian President Vladimir Putin) and our children’s Children’s Rights Commissioner (Maria Lvova-Belova),” he added.
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