An undated ID picture of journalist Evan Gershkovich. – A US reporter for The Wall Street Journal newspaper has been detained in Russia for espionage, Russian information businesses reported Thursday, citing the FSB safety companies.
– | Afp | Getty Images
Russian authorities plan to detain an American journalist who works for The Wall Street Journal for 2 months.
The reporter, Evan Gershkovich, was detained on suspicion of espionage, in accordance to Russia’s Federal Security Service. Shortly after, a Moscow court docket ordered Gershkovich’s detention to final until May 29, in accordance to the Journal, which cited native studies.
Gershkovich’s detention escalates already excessive tensions between the United States and Russia. The U.S. authorities is spending billions to help Ukraine’s defense in opposition to invading Russian forces. The Biden administration has been in contact with the Journal in regards to the state of affairs, a senior administration official informed NBC News.
The FSB alleged Gershkovich “was accumulating data constituting a state secret in regards to the actions of one of many enterprises of the military-industrial advanced of Russia.” Gershkovich pleaded not responsible to espionage fees, in accordance to Russian state news agency Tass. If convicted, Gershkovich may face up to 20 years in jail.
Daniil Berman, the lawyer of arrested Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, speaks to journalists close to the Lefortovsky court docket, in Moscow, Russia, Thursday, March 30, 2023. Russia’s high safety company says an American reporter for the Wall Street Journal has been arrested on espionage fees.
Alexander Zemlianichenko | AP
The Wall Street Journal adamantly denied the fees, including that it sought “the fast launch of our trusted and devoted reporter.”
“We stand in solidarity with Evan and his household,” the Journal stated.
Russia is without doubt one of the worst nations on this planet for press freedom, in accordance to a 2022 index from Reporters Without Borders, a nonprofit advocacy group. It has gotten worse since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine in early 2022, in accordance to the group.
The nation’s authorities has an extended historical past of harassing journalists, together with detaining foreigners on spying fees that seem extra politically motivated.
Recently, Russian President Vladimir Putin has overseen a significant crackdown on free speech and political dissent.
