President Joe Biden reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to hold Russia accountable for its unjust detention of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, marking the one-year anniversary of his arrest.
Gershkovich, detained by Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) on spying charges, became the first U.S. journalist arrested for such allegations since the Cold War.
Biden conveyed solidarity with Gershkovich’s family, pledging relentless efforts to secure his release. He condemned Russia’s exploitation of Americans as bargaining chips, vowing consequences for such actions.
The Kremlin’s call for silence regarding potential prisoner exchanges was rebuffed by the U.S. government, the Journal, and Gershkovich himself, all refuting espionage accusations.
Despite denial from Gershkovich and U.S. officials, the FSB accused him of attempting to obtain military secrets. Confined in Moscow’s Lefortovo prison, known for its association with the FSB, Gershkovich’s detention has been prolonged to June 30, extending a year of imprisonment.
Bipartisan leaders from Congress, including Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson, joined in condemning Gershkovich’s baseless and unjust arrest.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken echoed this sentiment, denouncing Russia’s clampdown on media freedom, exacerbated by Gershkovich’s case.
Biden and Blinken also addressed the detention of Paul Whelan, an ex-Marine sentenced to 16 years in a Moscow prison on spying charges in 2020, which he and the U.S. government deny.
Both emphasized unwavering support for Americans wrongfully detained abroad, promising relentless efforts for their return.
As the one-year mark underscores Gershkovich’s continued imprisonment and the broader challenges to press freedom in Russia, Biden’s administration remains committed to advocating for his release and that of others unjustly detained, affirming solidarity with affected individuals and their families.
