On the one-year anniversary of the arrest of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich in Russia, President Joe Biden reaffirmed his commitment to securing the journalist’s release. In a statement released Friday, Biden emphasized that journalism is not a crime and highlighted Gershkovich’s role in reporting on Russia’s actions in Ukraine. Biden assured Gershkovich’s parents of his unwavering hope and dedication to working towards the reporter’s freedom.
Biden condemned Russia’s use of detained Americans as bargaining chips and pledged to stand against attacks on the press and journalists. He also extended his support to Paul Whelan, a former marine detained in Russia since 2018, and all Americans held hostage abroad, vowing to work tirelessly for their return.
Congressional leaders, including Speaker Mike Johnson, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, issued a joint statement condemning Russia’s detention of Gershkovich, calling his arrest baseless and his charges fabricated.
The Wall Street Journal marked the anniversary by leaving a blank space on its front page, symbolizing the absence of Gershkovich’s reporting. He was detained in Yekaterinburg on espionage charges by Russia’s Federal Security Service. A letter from his family was included in the paper’s coverage of the anniversary.
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