MOSCOW: A US journalist for the Wall Street Journal was arrested in Russia, western media reported on Thursday. CNN and BBC reported that journalist Evan Gershkovich was arrested by the Russian authorities and accused him of spying. The journalist was arrested when he was working in Yekaterinburg. The White House strongly condemned the arrest of the journalist. However, Moscow claimed that Evan Gershkovich had been caught “red-handed” but the Wall Street Journal denied the allegations against the journalist.
US reporter arrested in Russia
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that he was “deeply concerned” by the arrest of Wall Street Journal journalist. Washington said that they had sought immediate access to Gershkovich but had not received any response.
The Wall Street Journal said Evan Gershkovich had dropped out of contact with his editor while working in Yekaterinburg on Wednesday. Russian officials said that it had terminated some “illegal activities”, adding the reporter had been arrested “acting on instructions of the US”. Russian officials further said that journalist of WSJ was collecting classified information about the activities of Russia’s defense enterprise.
Moscow said that the investigation department had started a criminal espionage case against the arrested journalist. According to media FSB officials took him to Lefortovo district court in Moscow on Friday, where the journalist was formally captured and ordered to remain in custody until 29 May.
Media reported that espionage in Russia carries a jail term of twenty years. Russian news agency, Tass reported that the journalist of WSJ had refused the charges.
In his recent Wall Street Journal piece, published this week, Gershkovich reported about Russia’s declining economy. Reporters Without Borders in a statement said that he had visited Yekaterinburg to cover Wagner, which is taking part in fighting in Ukraine. Gershkovich has covered Russia for the WSJ for more than one year. He had also worked for the AFP, and the Moscow Times. The journalist started his career in the United States (US).
The WSJ said it stood in solidarity with the journalist and his family and denied the allegations from the FSB and demands the immediate release of the reporter.
