Russia Detains WSJ Reporter

The Russian government has detained Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich on charges of espionage until May 29.

Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) alleged that Gershkovich was attempting to obtain “information about the activities of one of the enterprises of the Russian military-industrial complex that constitutes a state secret” while acting under “instructions from the American side.” The Wall Street Journal responded in a statement, “The Wall Street Journal vehemently denies the allegations from the FSB and seeks the immediate release of our trusted and dedicated reporter, Evan Gershkovich. We stand in solidarity with Evan and his family.” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov declined to answer a question from CNN on if the move was in retaliation to the United States recently arresting a Russian on espionage charges. Gershkovich is being held in Yekaterinburg, which is more than a thousand miles east of Moscow.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement that they are “deeply concerned” about Gershkovich’s arrest and have been in contact with the Wall Street Journal on the matter. “In the strongest possible terms, we condemn the Kremlin’s continued attempts to intimidate, repress, and punish journalists and civil society voices.”

Secretary of State Blinken says the State Dept is in touch with the WSJ about Russia's arrest of Evan Gershkovich pic.twitter.com/YnPNrm3NOS

— Natasha Bertrand (@NatashaBertrand) March 30, 2023

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement that the State Department is working to provide “consular access” to Gershkovich and that the White House has been in touch with both the Wall Street Journal and Gershkovich’s family. “The targeting of American citizens by the Russian government is unacceptable,” she said. “We condemn the detention of Mr. Gershkovich in the strongest possible terms.” Jean-Pierre urged American citizens residing or visiting Russia to leave immediately.

White House weighing in too. "Last night, White House and State Department Officials spoke with Mr. Gershkovich’s employer, the Wall Street Journal… Furthermore, the State Department has been in direct touch with the Russian government on this matter," says Press Sec KJP pic.twitter.com/qRhSknUDFo

— Natasha Bertrand (@NatashaBertrand) March 30, 2023

Stop Antisemitism noted in a tweet that Gershkovich is Jewish. “Our thoughts are with Evan’s family during this time and trust [Biden and Blinken] will do everything possible to free him,” they wrote.

An American Jewish journalist from the WSJ – Evan Gershkovich – has been detained in Russia on espionage charges. 

Our thoughts are with Evan’s family during this time and trust @POTUS @SecBlinken will do everything possible to free him. pic.twitter.com/SRmNbKgdLm

— StopAntisemitism (@StopAntisemites) March 30, 2023

Rabbi Rick Jacobs, President of Union of the Reform Judaism, tweeted that Gershkovich is being “held hostage by a modern Pharaoh. He’s a proud member of Moscow’s Jewish community. As you celebrate freedom this Passover please join me in setting a place for Evan at your table.”

Evan Gershkovich is a @WSJ journalist, held hostage by a modern Pharaoh. He’s a proud member of Moscow’s Jewish community. As you celebrate freedom this Passover please join me in setting a place for Evan at your table.

#FreeEvan #IStandWithEvan pic.twitter.com/92KSPrGodP

— Rabbi Rick Jacobs (@URJPresident) April 3, 2023