2nd April 2023 – (Moscow) The Wall Street Journal has once again demanded the release of its reporter Evan Gershkovich, who is currently being held in Russia over espionage charges. The journalist was detained in the Urals city of Yekaterinburg and is accused of collecting information about the activities of a Russian military-industrial enterprise that constitutes a state secret. The WSJ has rejected all allegations against Gershkovich and expressed concerns for his safety.
In a statement posted on Twitter, the WSJ called for the immediate release of Evan Gershkovich and condemned his detention as a “vicious affront” to press freedom. The newspaper called on all free people and governments throughout the world to be outraged by the journalist’s detention. The statement reiterated the WSJ’s rejection of all accusations against its reporter and highlighted its concerns for his safety.
The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) has accused Evan Gershkovich of acting at the behest of the American side and collecting information that constitutes a state secret. The FSB opened a criminal case against the US citizen under Article 276 of the Russian Criminal Code, which deals with espionage. Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that the journalist had been “caught red-handed.” On 30th March, Moscow’s Lefortovo district court ordered to arrest Gershkovich until 29th May.