The Kremlin said on Thursday it wanted complete silence in negotiations over a possible prisoner exchange involving Evan Hershkovich, the Wall Street Journal journalist arrested in Russia a year ago on suspicion of espionage.

American journalist Evan Hershkovich Photo: AA/ABACA / Abaca Press / Profimedia

Hershkovich, 32, became the first American journalist to be arrested in Russia on espionage charges since the Cold War. On March 29, he was detained by the Federal Security Service (FSB).

The reporter, the WSJ and the US government deny that he was a spy. Russia claims he was caught red-handed.

When asked when the judges will discuss Hershkovich’s case and whether there will be an exchange of prisoners, Kremlin press secretary Dmytro Peskov told reporters: “We have no information about the trial – it is not our prerogative.”

“Regarding exchange issues, I have repeatedly emphasized that there are certain contacts, but they must take place in absolute silence,” Peskov said, adding that public statements are an obstacle.

The FSB, the main heir to the Soviet-era KGB, claimed that Hershkovich was trying to obtain a military secret.

The journalist has been in Moscow’s strict-regime Lefortovo prison for almost a year, which is closely linked to the FSB, and his prison term was extended until June 30.