American journalist Evan Gershkovich, known for his extensive coverage of Russian media in the U.S., found himself in a troubling situation in March 2023 when he was arrested in Russia on alleged spying charges.
The 32-year-old Wall Street Journal reporter faces up to 20 years in prison under Russia’s criminal code.
Gershkovich, who speaks fluent Russian, had been based in Moscow for over a year and had previously worked for Agence France-Presse and The Moscow Times. His work has been featured in various publications, including The New York Times, The Economist, MIT Technology Review, Foreign Policy, and Politico Europe.
According to the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB), Gershkovich had accreditation from the Russian Foreign Ministry to work as a journalist in the country. However, he was detained in Yekaterinburg for allegedly collecting information constituting a state secret about the activities of a Russian military-industrial complex enterprise.
The arrest marks the first time an American reporter has been accused of espionage in Russia since the collapse of the Soviet Union. Tensions between Russia and the United States have been escalating amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The Wall Street Journal has vehemently denied the allegations against Gershkovich and has called for his immediate release. The publication stands in solidarity with the reporter and his family.
As of now, Gershkovich remains in Russian custody, and his trial date has not been set. His detention has been extended multiple times, most recently until June 30, 2024.
President Biden has stated that he is working to secure Gershkovich’s release, emphasizing that journalism is not a crime and that the reporter was simply doing his job by shedding light on Russia’s actions in Ukraine.
