Russian media said the #court had already been cleared of staff and visitors and Mr #Gershkovich's lawyer said he had not been allowed into the courtroom.

US officials said Mr #Gershkovich's driver had dropped him off at a restaurant and two #hours later his phone had been turned off.

US #officials said they had immediately sought access to Mr #Gershkovich but had not had any response.

US journalist Evan #Gershkovich has been arrested in Russia and accused of #spying while working for the Wall Street Journal.

#Russia arrests US journalist Evan #Gershkovich on spying charge

#Gershkovich speaks #Russian. His parents live in the United States but are originally from the Soviet Union.

#Gershkovich’s last report, #published this week, focused on the Russian economy’s slowdown amid Western sanctions.

#Gershkovich, who was #properly accredited as a journalist, covers Russia and Ukraine as a correspondent in the Wall Street Journal’s Moscow bureau.

#Russia detains WSJ reporter Evan #Gershkovich on espionage charges