On the anniversary of the arrest of American journalist Evan Gershkovich in Russia, the Wall Street Journal newspaper commemorates its correspondent – and calls for his immediate release. The young man’s normal existence was deprived for 12 months – a year full of missed weddings, reporters’ trips and outings with friends, the newspaper’s homepage said on Friday.
In the print edition of the Wall Street Journal, a page that looked like a Gershkovich commentary was left mostly blank except for the headline: “This story can’t be written.”
The Russian correspondent, who was arrested on March 29, 2023 while on a reporting trip in Yekaterinburg, had full press accreditation from the Russian Foreign Ministry and was arrested while doing his job, the newspaper said. Russia accuses the 32-year-old of spying for the US. Gershkovich and his employer deny the allegations. The US government also believes that Gershkovich is being wrongfully detained.
Biden: Arrest of Gershkovich is unjust and illegal
US President Joe Biden commented on the reporter’s fate. “Journalism is not a crime,” the White House said in a statement Friday. Biden described Gershkovich’s arrest as unjust and illegal. They are working to secure his release. In the message, Biden also recalled other US citizens in Russian custody and criticized “Russian attempts” to use them as bargaining chips. The Wall Street Journal wrote on Friday that Russia is one of the most dangerous countries in the world to work as a journalist.
Infamous Lefortovo prison
On Tuesday, a court in Moscow extended Gershkovich’s pre-trial detention for another three months. According to the Wall Street Journal, he is locked up in the infamous Lefortovo prison, where he is largely isolated from the outside world and spends 90 percent of the day in a small cell. Recently, Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin publicly indicated he was willing to trade Gershkovich for Russians imprisoned in the West.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
