Tag: Evan Gershkovich

US Confirms Talks With Russia Over Prisoner Swap Involving WSJ Reporter

The United States confirmed on Friday that there have been talks with Russia to press for the release of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, but forewarned that those discussions “have not produced a clear pathway to a resolution.” Speaking at a news conference on July 7, White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said…


US Ambassador Visits Wall Street Journal Reporter Detained in Russia on Charges of Espionage

MOSCOW—U.S. Ambassador Lynne Tracy on Monday was allowed to visit Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who has been behind bars in Russia since March on charges of espionage. Tracy last visited Gershkovich in April. The U.S. Embassy confirmed Monday’s visit but did not immediately provide more information. The 31-year-old U.S. citizen was arrested in…


US Ambassador to Russia Meets Jailed Wall Street Journal Reporter Gershkovich

American ambassador to Russia Lynne Tracy was granted access on Monday to jailed Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, the U.S. State Department said, in the second such visit since his pre-trial detention in March on espionage charges he denies. Tracy met with Gershkovich at Lefortovo Prison in Moscow in what was the first time…


Moscow Court Rules US Journalist Evan Gershkovich Must Stay in Jail Until Late August

MOSCOW—A Moscow court on Thursday ruled that Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich must remain in jail on espionage charges until at least late August, rejecting the American journalist’s appeal to be released. The 31-year-old U.S. citizen was arrested in late March while on a reporting trip. A Moscow court ruled last month to keep…


House Calls for Immediate Release of Americans Detained by Russia

The House of Representatives called upon Russia on June 12 to immediately release two American prisoners who have been accused of espionage. In a rare moment of bipartisanship, the House passed two resolutions—H. Res. 272 and H. Res. 377—condemning Russia’s “arbitrary and baseless” detention of former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan and journalist Evan Gershkovich and…


US Announces Sanctions on Russia Over Detainment of WSJ Reporter

The United States announced on April 27 sanctions against Russia’s security service, the FSB, in light of Moscow’s detainment of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich. The Biden administration also announced sanctions against Iran over wrongfully detaining Americans. “These actors in Russia and Iran have tried to use Americans for political leverage or to seek…


US Reporter Held by Russia on Spying Charges to Stay in Jail

A Russian judge ruled Tuesday that American journalist Evan Gershkovich must remain behind bars on espionage charges. Gershkovich and the U.S. government vehemently deny the allegations. The Wall Street Journal reporter is the first U.S. correspondent since the Cold War to be detained in Russia on spying allegations. Dozens of journalists crowded into the courtroom…


WSJ Reporter’s Parents Speak Out for First Time Since Son’s Arrest in Russia

The parents of Wall Street Journal reporter (WSJ) reporter Evan Gershkovich have spoken out for the first time since their son’s arrest in Russia. Russia detained Gershkovich on March 29 on espionage charges, which The Wall Street Journal denied. The detainment was “a shock,” his mother Ella Gershkovich told WSJ in a video interview published on…


US Designates Reporter Held in Russia as ‘Wrongfully Detained’

The State Department announced on April 10 that it has designated Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reporter Evan Gershkovich as “wrongfully detained” in Russia. The designation will allow the department to allocate more resources toward freeing Gershkovich as the Office of the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs, led by Roger Carstens, will work to secure…


McConnell, Schumer Condemn Detention of US Journalist in Russia

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) have come together against Russia’s detention of an American journalist. “We strongly condemn the wrongful detention of U.S. citizen and Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, and demand the immediate release of this internationally known and respected independent journalist,” the two wrote…