Russia detained an American journalist on the charges of espionage, a statement by the Russian authorities said on March 30, 2023. The incident comes amid growing tensions between Moscow and the United States that increased after Ukraine’s invasion.
The journalist, Evan Gershkovich, a Wall Street Journal correspondent based in Moscow, is believed to be the first American reporter to be held as an accused spy in Russia since the collapse of the Soviet Union.
The Russian Federal Security Service, or F.S.B., said in a statement that Gershkovich “is suspected of spying in the interests of the American government” and had been detained in the city of Yekaterinburg.
“We’re not talking about suspicions,” Dmitri S. Peskov, spokesman for the Russian President, said, adding, “He was caught red-handed,” Peskov didn't share further details, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Condemning the arrest, the US State Department said in a statement, “Whenever a U.S. citizen is detained abroad, we immediately seek consular access and seek to provide all appropriate support. In the strongest possible terms, we condemn Kremlin’s continued attempts to intimidate, repress, and punish journalists and civil society voices.”
“The Department of State’s highest priority is the safety and security of US citizens abroad. We reiterate our strong warnings about the danger posed to US citizens inside the Russian Federation. US citizens residing or traveling in Russia should depart immediately, as stated in our Travel Advisory for Russia,” the statement added.
Rejecting the accusations against Gershkovich, WSJ in a statement demanded his immediate release.
