US & GLOBAL: Over the last nearly 2 years, the talks have continued concerning the release of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich held in Russian prison. There are, however, a number of specific details surrounding the Kremlins evasive position including charging Gershkovich with a crime.
By Anne M Erbynstein
“Journalism is not a crime, and Evan went to Russia to do his job as a reporter —risking his safety to shine the light of truth on Russia’s brutal aggression against Ukraine.”—US President, Joe Biden
Russia has maintained that Gershkovich was spying and gathering information on the Russian military, which is a claim that both the Wall Street Journal and the US government have denied.
Russia has also denied consular access to Gershkovich, despite repeated requests from the US government, citing national security concerns.
No public evidence has been provided by Russia to support their claims of espionage, and the US government has denounced Gershkovich's detention as a "brazen attack on free press.
Russian state media has been spreading disinformation about Gershkovich's detention, portraying him as a spy and a threat to national security.
Negotiations for Gershkovich's release have been stalled, with Russia reportedly seeking concessions from the US in exchange for his release.
The US government has been working to secure Gershkovich's release, with President Biden stating that they will "continue to denounce and impose costs for Russia's appalling attempts to use Americans as bargaining chips.
In the last year, President Biden has stood by tge families of Russian held pridoners. In March of this year, the President spoke with the family of Evan Gershkovich stating his commitment to taking every step necessary to secure Gershkovich’s release.
While the Kremlin remains silent avoiding commenting in regard to the possibility of a prisoner swap, the US continues its relentless negotiations, now, after 17 months the Wall Street Journalists’ Russian imprisonment.
Comments