Evan Gershkovich#Trial

{{Infobox person

| name = Evan Gershkovich

| image = Evan Gershkovich.png

| caption = Gershkovich on his return flight from Russia

| birth_name =

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1991|10|26}}

| birth_place = Princeton, New Jersey, U.S.

| education = Bowdoin College (BA)

| occupation = {{hlist|Journalist|reporter}}

| employer = The Wall Street Journal

| module = {{Infobox|child=yes

|header1 = Detention

|label2 = Country |data2 = Russia

|label3 = Detained |data3 = {{dts|2023|03|29}}

|label4 = Charge |data4 = Espionage

|label5 = Released |data5 = {{dts|2024|08|01}}

|label6 = Sentence |data6 = 16 years imprisonment

|label7 = Time{{nbsp}}held |data7 = {{hla|2023|03|29|2024|08|01}}

}}

Evan Gershkovich (born October{{nbsp}}26, 1991){{Cite news |last=Bella |first=Timothy |date=April 8, 2023 |title=Evan Gershkovich adored life in Russia. Now, the reporter waits in prison. |language=en-US |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/04/08/evan-gershkovich-russia-wsj-journalist-arrested-profile/ |access-date=2023-04-18 |issn=0190-8286}} is an American journalist and reporter at The Wall Street Journal covering Russia.

Gershkovich graduated from Bowdoin College, majoring in philosophy and English and writing in student newspapers. He moved to Russia in 2016, contributing to multiple media outlets, and has been with The Wall Street Journal since 2022.

He was detained by Russia's Federal Security Service on charges of espionage in March 2023, marking the first time a journalist working for an American outlet had been arrested on charges of spying in Russia since the Cold War. The White House and media advocacy groups condemned the arrest. On July{{nbsp}}19, 2024, Gershkovich was sentenced to 16 years in prison after being convicted in an espionage trial. He was released on August{{nbsp}}1, 2024, as part of a prisoner exchange.

The US officials have speculated that the motivation behind the order for Gershkovich's arrest was an anticipated prisoner exchange for one or more high-profile Russians imprisoned in other countries.{{Cite news |last1=Volz |first1=Dustin |last2=Radnofsky |first2=Louise |display-authors= |title=Russia Has Shown Scant Interest in Prisoner Swaps for Dozens Held in U.S. Prisons |url=https://www.wsj.com/world/russia/russia-has-shown-scant-interest-in-prisoner-swaps-for-dozens-held-in-u-s-prisons-f4b217f5 |work=The Wall Street Journal}} Gershkovich, who remained in the country following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, was named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine after his arrest in 2023.{{Cite magazine |title=The 100 Most Influential People of 2023 |url=https://time.com/collection/100-most-influential-people-2023/ |access-date=2023-04-17 |magazine=Time |language=en}}

Early life and education

Gershkovich's parents, Ella and Mikhail Gershkovich, are Jewish immigrants who each settled in the U.S. after leaving the Soviet Union via the U.S. Refugee Resettlement Program{{Cite news |date=March 30, 2023 |title=Russia arrests US journalist Evan Gershkovich on spying charge |language=en |work= Time Magazine|url=https://time.com/6267183/evan-gershkovich-arrested-wsj-russia-espionage/ |access-date=March 30, 2023 |archive-date=March 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330164308/https://time.com/6267183/evan-gershkovich-arrested-wsj-russia-espionage/ |url-status=live }} during a period of mass emigration, ending up in the United States in 1979 and eventually in New York City, where they met.{{Cite Q|Q117731385|access-date=2023-05-20}}{{Cite web |last=Cramer |first=Philissa |title=Gershkovich, Blume among Jews on Time's 'Most Influential' list |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/gershkovich-blume-yellen-among-jews-making-times-most-influential-list/ |access-date=2023-04-17 |website=www.timesofisrael.com |date=April 14, 2023 |language=en-US}} The couple moved to Princeton, New Jersey, where Gershkovich and his sister grew up speaking Russian at home.{{Cite news |last=Lukyanova |first=Yulia |url=https://www.pressherald.com/2023/09/29/evan-gershkovich-wanted-to-explain-russia-to-americans-russia-wanted-him-to-stay-quiet/ |title=Evan Gershkovich wanted to explain Russia to Americans. Russia wanted him to stay quiet |date=October 1, 2023 |newspaper=Portland Press Herald |quote=Gershkovich, 31, has almost no accent while speaking Russian.}}{{Cite web |last=Grantham-Philips |first=Wyatte |title=Who is Evan Gershkovich? What we know about WSJ reporter arrested by Russia for espionage |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2023/03/30/who-is-evan-gershkovich-wall-street-journal-reporter-arrested/11568190002/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330223622/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2023/03/30/who-is-evan-gershkovich-wall-street-journal-reporter-arrested/11568190002/ |archive-date=March 30, 2023 |access-date=March 30, 2023 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US}}{{Cite Q|Q117353778|access-date=2023-04-01}}{{Cite web |title=Russia arrests WSJ reporter on espionage charges |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/3/30/russia-arrests-wsj-reporter-evan-gershkovich-on-espionage-charges |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330110750/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/3/30/russia-arrests-wsj-reporter-evan-gershkovich-on-espionage-charges |archive-date=March 30, 2023 |access-date=March 30, 2023 |website=www.aljazeera.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2018-02-14 |title=Spit Thrice For Good Fortune |url=https://hazlitt.net/feature/spit-thrice-good-fortune |access-date=2023-04-01 |website=Hazlitt |language=en}} Sources differ on how fluent Gershkovich is in Russian, with Gershkovich himself saying he learned most of his Russian in Moscow, an account bolstered by his colleague, The New Yorker Moscow correspondent Joshua Yaffa.{{cite web | url=https://zeh.media/praktika/opyt/3941206-privet-ya-ochen-vozbuzhden-kak-amerikanets-russky-yazyk-uchil | title="Привет, я очень возбужден". Как американец русский язык учил | date=October 17, 2019 }}{{cite magazine | url=https://www.newyorker.com/podcast/political-scene/joshua-yaffa-on-evan-gershkovich-a-colleague-and-friend | title=Joshua Yaffa on Evan Gershkovich, a Colleague and Friend | magazine=The New Yorker | date=May 8, 2023 }}

In 2010, Gershkovich graduated from Princeton High School, where he had captained the soccer team.{{Cite web |title=Princeton High Graduate Evan Gershkovich Detained in Russia |url=https://www.tapinto.net/towns/princeton/sections/spotlight-on-princeton/articles/princeton-high-graduate-evan-gershkovich-detained-in-russia |access-date=March 31, 2023 |website=TAPinto |language=en}} At Bowdoin College, he majored in philosophy and English,{{Cite web |date=March 30, 2023 |title=What is the American journalist Evan Gershkovich detained by the FSB known for? |url=https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/5902522 |access-date=March 30, 2023 |website=Коммерсантъ |language=ru}}{{Cite web |last1=Michaels |first1=Daniel |last2=Salama |first2=Vivian |date=March 30, 2023 |title=Biden Administration Condemns Detention of Wall Street Journal Reporter |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/russian-security-service-detains-wall-street-journal-reporter-cbfbd505 |access-date=March 30, 2023 |website=WSJ |language=en-US |archive-date=March 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330143514/https://www.wsj.com/articles/russian-security-service-detains-wall-street-journal-reporter-cbfbd505 |url-status=live }} wrote for The Bowdoin Orient and The Bowdoin Review, and disc jockeyed for WBOR, the campus radio station. He graduated in 2014.{{Cite web |title=Evan Gershkovich '14 Detained in Russia (March 30, 2023) |url=https://www.bowdoin.edu/president/writings-and-addresses/messages-to-the-community/2023/mar-30.html |access-date=March 30, 2023 |website=Office of the President |language=en}}

Career

Gershkovich worked for The New York Times from 2016 to 2017, The Moscow Times from 2017 to 2020, and Agence France-Presse from 2020 to 2022 before moving to The Wall Street Journal in January 2022.{{Cite web |last=Flood |first=Brian |date=2023-03-31 |title=Wall Street Journal reporter imprisoned in Russia hailed by colleagues for charisma, courage |url=https://www.foxnews.com/media/wall-street-journal-reporter-imprisoned-russia-hailed-colleagues-charisma-courage |access-date=2023-04-01 |website=Fox News |language=en-US}} He had lived in Russia for six years prior to his arrest, at the time of which he was based at the Journal{{'}}s bureau in Moscow and covering the Russo-Ukrainian War. He was working in Yekaterinburg when arrested, covering the Russian mercenary military organization Wagner.{{Cite news |date=March 30, 2023 |title=Russia arrests US journalist Evan Gershkovich on spying charge |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-65121885 |access-date=March 30, 2023 |archive-date=March 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330145717/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-65121885 |url-status=live }}

Arrest

On March 29, 2023, while Gershkovich was on assignment in Yekaterinburg, the counterintelligence department of the Federal Security Service (FSB) detained him for having information on a "Russian defence enterprise". Russian officials said he was collecting secrets on the "production and repair of military equipment" for the CIA.{{Cite web |last=Shalvey |first=Kevin |date=2024-07-18 |title=As WSJ reporter Evan Gershkovich's espionage trial resumes, US and Russia raise potential for trade |url=https://www.yahoo.com/gma/wsj-reporter-evan-gershkovich-due-055336529.html |access-date=2024-08-01 |website=www.yahoo.com |language=en-US}}

According to U.S. officials, Gershkovich's driver dropped him off at a steakhouse at 4 p.m.{{Cite web |last1=Parkinson |first1=Joe |last2=Hinshaw |first2=Drew |date=March 31, 2023 |title=Evan Gershkovich Loved Russia, the Country That Turned on Him |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/wsj-reporter-evan-gershkovich-detained-russia-cd03b0f3 |access-date=July 16, 2023 |work=The Wall Street Journal}} and two hours later his phone was turned off. The Wall Street Journal hired a lawyer to find him at the FSB's headquarters but couldn't locate him.{{Cite web |last=Kirby |first=Paul |date=March 30, 2023 |title=Russia arrests US journalist Evan Gershkovich on spying charge |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-65121885 |access-date=July 4, 2023 |publisher=BBC News}} The Kremlin confirmed his arrest hours later. Dmitri Peskov, Russian president Vladimir Putin's press secretary, said that he was "caught red-handed" but could not provide further details.{{Cite web |last1=Victor |first1=Daniel |last2=Grynbaum |first2=Michael |date=March 30, 2023 |title=Russia detains a Wall Street Journal reporter, accusing him of espionage. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/30/world/europe/russia-wsj-reporter-detained-gershkovich.html |access-date=July 4, 2023 |work=The New York Times}} Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said "we have irrefutable evidence that Gershkovich was engaged in espionage" during a visit to New York in July 2024.

Gershkovich was transferred to Moscow where he was detained by a district court until May 29. He was then taken to Lefortovo Prison, a holding facility used by the Soviet Union to detain Soviet dissidents.{{Cite web |last=Nechepurenko |first=Ivan |author-link=Ivan Nechepurenko |date=March 31, 2023 |title=The American reporter Russia accuses of spying is likely to spend months in a high-security prison. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/31/world/europe/evan-gershkovich-wsj-reporter-russia.html |access-date=July 4, 2023 |work=The New York Times}} He was formally charged on April 7.{{Cite web |last=MacFarquhar |first=Neil |author-link=Neil MacFarquhar |date=April 7, 2023 |title=Russia formally charges detained American reporter with espionage, according to state media. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/07/world/europe/evan-gershkovich-charged-espionage-russia.html |access-date=July 4, 2023 |work=The New York Times}} He was accused of acting on behalf of foreign intelligence and attempting to collect classified information about Uralvagonzavod, the largest main battle tank manufacturer in the world, in Yekaterinburg.{{cn|date=August 2024}} United States ambassador to Russia Lynne M. Tracy met with Gershkovich on April 17 and wrote that he is "in good health and remains strong".{{Cite web |last=Vinograd |first=Cassandra |date=April 17, 2023 |title=Evan Gershkovich, the detained Wall Street Journal reporter, has received a consular visit. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/17/world/evan-gershkovich-russia-us-ambassador.html |access-date=July 4, 2023 |work=The New York Times}}

Gershkovich's detention by Russia's Federal Security Service{{Cite web |last1=Osborn |first1=Andrew |last2=Light |first2=Felix |last3=Zengerle |first3=Patricia |date=March 30, 2023 |title=US reporter's detention in Russia on spy charges widens rift between nuclear rivals |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/wall-street-journal-reporter-russia-detained-suspicion-spying-ifax-cites-fsb-2023-03-30/ |website=Reuters}}{{Cite web |last=Kirby |first=Paul |date=2023-03-30 |title=US journalist arrested in Russia accused of spying |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-65121885 |access-date=2024-08-01 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}} marked the first time a journalist working for an American news outlet has been arrested in Russia on charges of spying since the Cold War.{{Cite web |last1=Dean |first1=Sarah |last2=Horowitz |first2=Julia |last3=Mackintosh |first3=Eliza |date=2023-03-30 |title=Wall Street Journal reporter arrested in Russia on spying charges |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/30/business/wsj-journalist-arrested-russia/index.html |access-date=2024-08-01 |website=CNN |language=en}} According to NPR, a court, operating in closed session, ordered Gershkovich held until the end of May while investigations were ongoing.{{Cite web |date=March 30, 2023 |title=Russia arrests 'Wall Street Journal' reporter, accusing him of espionage |url=https://www.npr.org/2023/03/30/1166984608/russia-detains-wall-street-journal-reporter-accuse-espionage |website=NPR |access-date=March 30, 2023 |archive-date=March 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330111244/https://www.npr.org/2023/03/30/1166984608/russia-detains-wall-street-journal-reporter-accuse-espionage |url-status=live }} According to Kommersant, he was scheduled to be transferred to Lefortovo prison while awaiting trial. A conviction for espionage could carry a sentence of 20 years.{{Cite web |last=Naylor |first=Aliide |date=March 30, 2023 |title=Russia arrests Wall Street Journal reporter for 'spying' |url=https://www.thetimes.com/world/russia-ukraine-war/article/russia-journalist-arrested-spying-espionage-m79rcm6bf |access-date=March 30, 2023 |website=The Times |language=en}}

Gershkovich appealed his arrest on April 3.{{Cite web |last=Olson |first=Carly |date=April 3, 2023 |title=Evan Gershkovich, the American reporter detained in Moscow, appeals his arrest. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/03/world/europe/evan-gershkovich-wsj-reporter-appeal.html |access-date=July 4, 2023 |work=The New York Times}} A judge denied his appeal and rejected an offer from The Wall Street Journal publisher Dow Jones & Company to post a bond of {{Currency|50000000|RUB}} ({{USD|600000}}). Gershkovich's lawyers said he was reading Leo Tolstoy's War and Peace (1869) and watching cooking shows on monastery cuisine.{{Cite web |last1=Nechepurenko |first1=Ivan |author-link1=Ivan Nechepurenko |last2=Troianovski |first2=Anton |author-link2=Anton Troianovski |date=April 18, 2023 |title=Russian Court Rejects Wall Street Journal Reporter's Appeal |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/18/world/europe/wsj-reporter-evan-gershkovich-moscow-court-detention.html |access-date=July 4, 2023 |work=The New York Times}} In a handwritten letter from April 5 obtained by The Wall Street Journal, Gershkovich said he was "not losing hope".{{Cite web |last1=Bernstein |first1=Elizabeth |last2=Cullison |first2=Alan |date=April 14, 2023 |title=Jailed WSJ Reporter in Letter Home Says He Is 'Not Losing Hope' |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/jailed-wsj-reporter-in-letter-home-says-he-is-not-losing-hope-4cbbd1af |access-date=July 4, 2023 |work=The Wall Street Journal}} He appeared in Moscow City Court on April 18 to appeal his pre-trial detention.{{Cite web |last1=Troianovski |first1=Anton |author-link1=Anton Troianovski |last2=Nechepurenko |first2=Ivan |author-link2=Ivan Nechepurenko |last3=Vinograd |first3=Cassandra |date=April 18, 2023 |title=Evan Gershkovich, the Wall Street Journal reporter detained in Russia, is expected to appear in court. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/18/world/canada/evan-gershkovich-the-wall-street-journal-reporter-detained-in-russia-is-expected-to-appear-in-court.html |access-date=July 4, 2023 |work=The New York Times}} A Moscow court extended his detention to August 30 on May 23, where Gershkovich's parents met him.{{Cite web |last=Cohen |first=Roger |author-link=Roger Cohen |date=May 23, 2023 |title=Russian Court Orders American Journalist Jailed Through August |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/23/world/europe/evan-gershkovich-russia-hearing.html |access-date=July 4, 2023 |work=The New York Times}} The court rejected his legal team's offer to free him on bail of 50 million rubles ($614,000) or put him under house arrest.{{Cite news |last1=Rosenberg |first1=Steve |last2=Kim |first2=Chloe |date=2023-04-18 |title=Evan Gershkovich: US journalist arrested in Russia appears in court |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-65310529 |access-date=2023-04-18 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |last=Ranjan |first=Ayush |date=April 18, 2023 |title=Russian Court Rejects Wall Street Journal Reporter's Appeal for Release from Detention on Espionage Charges |url=https://theusatelegraph.com/russian-court-rejects-wall-street-journal-reporters-appeal-for-release-from-detention-on-espionage-charges/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230418150400/https://theusatelegraph.com/russian-court-rejects-wall-street-journal-reporters-appeal-for-release-from-detention-on-espionage-charges/ |archive-date=April 18, 2023 |access-date=2023-04-18 |website=The USA Telegraph}} He appealed the extension on May 26;{{Cite web |last=Patil |first=Anushka |date=May 26, 2023 |title=Evan Gershkovich, the American reporter Russia accuses of spying, appeals the extension of his detention. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/26/world/europe/evan-gershkovich-russia-detention.html |access-date=July 4, 2023 |work=The New York Times}} a Moscow court denied the appeal on June 22.{{Cite web |last=Hopkins |first=Valerie |date=June 22, 2023 |title=A Russian court upholds a Wall Street Journal reporter's detention. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/22/world/europe/russia-evan-gershkovich-wall-street-journal.html |access-date=July 4, 2023 |work=The New York Times}} Tracy met with Gershkovich on July 3.{{Cite web |last1=Williams |first1=Abigail |last2=Shabad |first2=Rebecca |date=July 3, 2023 |title=U.S. ambassador visits detained journalist Evan Gershkovich in Russian prison |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/us-ambassador-visits-detained-journalist-evan-gershkovich-russian-pris-rcna92421 |access-date=July 4, 2023 |publisher=NBC News}}

Trial

Gershkovich appeared in a court in Yekaterinburg on June 26{{cite web |last=Simmons |first=Ann M. |date=26 June 2024 |title=Falsely Accused Wall Street Journal Reporter Evan Gershkovich in Court for Start of Secret Russian Trial |url=https://www.wsj.com/world/falsely-accused-wall-street-journal-reporter-evan-gershkovich-appears-before-russian-court-b1b155a8?mod=hp_lead_pos7&mod=hp_lead_pos7 |website=The Wall Street Journal}} and July 18, 2024. On July 19, the court found him guilty of spying and espionage and sentenced him to 16 years in prison.{{Cite web |last=Tanno |first=Sophie |date=2024-07-19 |title=WSJ reporter Evan Gershkovich convicted of espionage by Russian court in case denounced by US as a sham |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/07/19/media/evan-gershkovich-espionage-trial-verdict-intl/index.html |access-date=2024-07-19 |website=CNN |language=en}}{{cite web |last1=Murphy |first1=Matt |last2=Greenall |first2=Robert |date=July 19, 2024 |title=Russia jails US journalist Gershkovich on spying charges |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cg64npg33r3o |accessdate=19 July 2024 |publisher=BBC News}} In a subsequent interview, Andrei Mineyev, the judge who handled the case, said that the court did not look into material evidence, adding that neither the prosecution nor the defense had requested to consider them, and that the verdict did not take too long as he could "type quickly".{{cite web |date=September 27, 2024 |title=Russian Judge Who Convicted Gershkovich Says Court Did Not Examine Material Evidence |url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2024/09/27/russian-judge-who-convicted-gershkovich-says-court-did-not-examine-material-evidence-a86501|accessdate=September 28, 2024 |publisher=The Moscow Times}}

Reactions

The Journal "vehemently denied" the charges, and the arrest was criticized by the White House, the Committee to Protect Journalists, and the Society of Professional Journalists, and other media advocacy groups. Within days NATO and the European Union issued statements criticizing the arrest.{{Cite web |last1=Cheslow |first1=Daniella |last2=Norman |first2=Laurence |date=3 April 2023 |title=U.S. Allies Demand Russia Release Evan Gershkovich |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/europeans-weigh-confronting-russia-at-u-n-over-evan-gershkovich-case-ad5ff52d |access-date=2023-04-04 |website=WSJ |language=en-US}} On April 27, 2023, the Biden administration sanctioned Russia's Federal Security Service and Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps intelligence organization, accusing them of wrongfully detaining Americans.{{cite web |last=Macias |first=Amanda |date=27 April 2023 |title=U.S. imposes sanctions on Russia and Iran for wrongful detention and hostage-taking of American citizens |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2023/04/27/us-imposes-sanctions-on-russia-iran-for-hostage-taking.html |website=CNBC}}

Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke to his counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, on April 2. He expressed "grave concern" over Gershkovich's arrest and called for the release of Paul Whelan, a former Marine accused of espionage in 2018. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs repeated the Kremlin's claim that Gershkovich committed "illegal activities".{{Cite web |last=Bubola |first=Emma |date=April 2, 2023 |title=In Rare Call With Lavrov, Blinken Demands Release of Imprisoned American Journalist |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/02/world/europe/blinken-evan-gershkovich-lavrov-griner.html |access-date=July 4, 2023 |work=The New York Times}} Russian ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov claimed that Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland threatened Russia with "retaliatory measures" unless Gershkovich was released.{{Cite web |last=Nechepurenko |first=Ivan |author-link=Ivan Nechepurenko |date=April 14, 2023 |title=Russia's ambassador says the U.S. threatened 'retaliatory measures' unless a jailed reporter is released. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/14/world/europe/russia-gershkovich-ambassador.html |access-date=July 4, 2023 |work=The New York Times}} On April 10, 2023, the US State Department officially designated Gershkovich as "wrongfully detained",{{cite web |last=Garrity |first=Kelly |date=April 10, 2023 |title=State Department designates WSJ reporter as 'wrongfully detained |url=https://www.politico.com/amp/news/2023/04/10/state-department-designates-wsj-reporter-wrongfully-detained-00091293 |accessdate=April 10, 2023 |work=Politico}} meaning his case will be transferred to the office of the Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs.{{cite web |last=Wright |first=George |date=April 10, 2023 |title=Evan Gershkovich: US says journalist is wrongfully detained in Russia |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-65234451.amp |accessdate=April 10, 2023 |publisher=BBC News}} White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre called Gershkovich's arrest "unacceptable". In a statement, Jean-Pierre said, "We condemn the detention of Mr. Gershkovich in the strongest terms." Additionally, she said that releasing Gershkovich was a priority for Biden.{{Cite web |last1=Simmons |first1=Ann |last2=Restuccia |first2=Andrew |date=April 4, 2023 |title=White House Says Release of Evan Gershkovich From Russian Prison Is Priority for Biden |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/lawyers-for-evan-gershkovich-seek-to-visit-journalist-jailed-in-moscow-ea7fa884 |access-date=July 4, 2023 |work=The Wall Street Journal}} Departing for Mississippi to see the aftermath of tornadoes in the state, Biden told reporters, "Let him go". On a diplomatic visit, vice president Kamala Harris echoed his statements from Zambia with president Hakainde Hichilema.{{Cite web |last=Patil |first=Anushka |date=March 31, 2023 |title='Let him go,' Biden says. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2023/03/31/world/russia-ukraine-news#biden-and-news-organizations-demand-that-russia-release-a-detained-american-reporter |access-date=July 4, 2023 |work=The New York Times}} The European Union and NATO demanded Gershkovich's release.{{Cite web |last1=Cheslow |first1=Daniella |last2=Norman |first2=Laurence |date=April 3, 2023 |title=U.S. Allies Demand Russia Release Evan Gershkovich |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/europeans-weigh-confronting-russia-at-u-n-over-evan-gershkovich-case-ad5ff52d |access-date=July 4, 2023 |work=The Wall Street Journal}} The United States sanctioned the FSB and Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps on April 27 for detaining American citizens.{{Cite web |last=Miller |first=Zeke |date=April 27, 2023 |title=US sanctions Russia, Iran entities for detaining Americans |url=https://apnews.com/article/detained-americans-russia-iran-joe-biden-c6bfd0f6b55f156f7c58345c52af989b |access-date=July 4, 2023 |publisher=Associated Press}}

The Wall Street Journal wrote that it stands in solidarity with Gershkovich and his family. The editorial board of The New York Times—which employed Gershkovich from 2016 to 2017—expressed reproach.{{Cite web |date=April 6, 2023 |title=The Arrest of Evan Gershkovich Is Further Evidence of Putin's Brutality |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/06/opinion/evan-gershkovich-wsj-reporter.html |access-date=July 4, 2023 |work=The New York Times}} A coalition of leaders of dozens of media organizations condemned the arrest in a letter sent to Antonov, as did a separate statement from The New York Times, Bloomberg News, Politico, and The Washington Post. Senate leaders Mitch McConnell and Chuck Schumer released a bipartisan statement condemning his arrest. The House of Representatives unanimously passed a resolution calling for the release of American prisoners in Russia on June 13.{{Cite web |last=Demirjian |first=Karoun |author-link=Karoun Demirjian |date=June 13, 2023 |title=House Passes Resolution Calling on Russia to Free U.S. Prisoners |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/13/us/politics/house-resolution-evan-gershkovich-paul-whelan.html |access-date=July 4, 2023 |work=The New York Times}} Former Russia correspondent Alan Philps compared Gershkovich's arrest to Joseph Stalin's censorship of media in the Soviet Union.{{Cite web |last=Blume |first=Lesley |date=July 3, 2023 |title=How Stalin's Control of Foreign Reporters Helped Shape Russia Coverage Today |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/03/books/red-hotel-alan-philps-moscow.html |access-date=July 4, 2023 |work=The New York Times}} Conservative columnist Bret Stephens stated that Putin would benefit from reading Gershkovich's works to gain an independent assessment of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.{{Cite web |last=Stephens |first=Bret |author-link=Bret Stephens |date=April 4, 2023 |title=Putin Should Have Read Evan Gershkovich, Not Imprisoned Him |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/04/opinion/putin-russia-evan-gershkovich.html |access-date=July 4, 2023 |work=The New York Times}} Brittney Griner, who was arrested in Russia for carrying hashish oil before being involved in a prisoner exchange with arms dealer Viktor Bout, called for his release.{{Cite web |last=Kaitlyn |first=Radde |date=April 2, 2023 |title=Brittney Griner calls for the release of an American reporter detained in Russia |url=https://www.npr.org/2023/04/02/1167656541/wall-street-journal-reporter-detained-russia-evan-gershkovich-brittney-griner |access-date=July 4, 2023 |publisher=NPR}}

In an editorial "Press Freedom Is Your Freedom" WSJ Publisher Almar Latour described the campaign to free Gershkovich as a "global press freedom effort", a contextualisation that would continue throughout the ordeal.{{Cite web |title=Press Freedom Is Your Freedom |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/press-freedom-is-your-freedom-evan-gershkovich-russia-detainment-journalism-10b16d |access-date=2024-08-16}}

However, the WSJ's stand on press freedom was undermined by revelations of actions against fellow WSJ Journalist Selina Cheng during Gershkovich's incarceration. According to Cheng, her WSJ supervisor told her that "having its employees advocating for press freedom publicly would create a conflict" with employment at the WSJ and directed Cheng to withdraw from participation in the Hong Kong Journalists Association, a trade union union and vocal advocate for press freedom in the city.{{Cite web |last=Cheng |first=Selina |title=I pushed for press freedom in Hong Kong. The Wall Street Journal fired me. |url=https://www.cjr.org/first_person/selina-cheng-wall-street-journal-gershkovich-evan-china-hong-kong-apple.php |access-date=2024-08-16 |website=Columbia Journalism Review |language=en}} Cheng did not withdraw, and was fired by the WSJ soon after taking up the leadership role at the Hong Kong Journalists Association. The WSJ action attracted a storm of criticism from press freedom advocates, human rights groups, and journalist unions and clubs. Comments and editorials contrasted WSJ's starkly different treatment of Cheng and Gershkovich, calling its actions against Cheng "baffling", "heartless","gutless", "outrageous, hypocritical and disappointing" while praising the support offered to Gershkovich.{{Cite news |date=2024-07-19 |title=Chinese media applauds Wall Street Journal's sacking of Hong Kong journalist |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-07-19/wall-street-journal-sacks-selina-cheng-press-freedom-concerns/104117976 |access-date=2024-08-16 |work=ABC News |language=en-AU}}{{Cite web |title=The Wall Street Journal Owes Hong Kong Reporters an Explanation |url=https://thediplomat.com/2024/07/the-wall-street-journal-owes-hong-kong-reporters-an-explanation/ |access-date=2024-08-16 |website=thediplomat.com |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Hale |first=Erin |title=Wall Street Journal in press freedom row over dismissal of union leader |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2024/7/17/hong-kong-journalist-group-head-says-fired-by-wsj-in-press-freedom-row |access-date=2024-08-16 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}} The firm's response was "The Wall Street Journal has been and continues to be a fierce and vocal advocate for press freedom in Hong Kong and around the world"{{Cite web |last=Lau |first=Chris |date=2024-07-18 |title=Hong Kong journalist Selina Cheng says she was fired by WSJ after taking top post at union under attack by Beijing |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2024/07/18/media/wall-street-journal-reporter-fired-in-hong-kong-intl-hnk/index.html |access-date=2024-08-16 |website=CNN |language=en}} On Gershkovich's release, WSJ would publish a full page spread "Welcome Home, Evan. Freedom does not exist without a free press."https://x.com/LucasFoxNews/status/1819346955396395112

The arrest of Gershkovich—a respected figure among independent Russian journalists—provoked a response from Russian media. In his first story for The Moscow Times in 2019, he brought attention to the non-governmental organization OVD-Info, and relied upon the group mourning Ukrainians killed in the Russo-Ukrainian War. Russia's leading independent journalists published an open letter demanding his release. Mediazona offered live coverage of his arrest on their website. On YouTube, exiled broadcast journalist Maksim Kurnikov noted that Gershkovich's arrest could harm Russia's overview of the war.{{Cite web |last=Troianovski |first=Anton |author-link=Anton Troianovski |date=April 4, 2023 |title=He Told Their Stories of Repression. Now They Are Telling His. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/04/world/europe/evan-gershkovich-wall-street-journal-russia.html |access-date=July 4, 2023 |work=The New York Times}} Russian state media reported that the trial of detained US journalist Evan Gershkovich scheduled to be held behind closed doors. Gershkovich denied the charges and his trial was set to begin on June 26, 2024, in Yekaterinburg.{{cite news |last=Avagnina |first=Gianluca |date=17 June 2024 |title=Gershkovich trial to be held behind closed doors |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crggjv072v3o |access-date=17 June 2024 |work=BBC News}} Gershkovich's trial resumed in Russia behind closed doors after nearly 16 months in detention. Washington dismissed the charges as fabricated, and a UN panel deemed his detention arbitrary.{{cite news |date=18 July 2024 |title=Russian trial of detained US journalist Gershkovich resumes |url=https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20240718-russian-trial-of-detained-us-journalist-gershkovich-resumes |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240718123740/https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20240718-russian-trial-of-detained-us-journalist-gershkovich-resumes |archive-date=18 July 2024 |access-date=18 July 2024 |work=France24.com}}

Analysis

The Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center's Tatiana Stanovaya said that Gershkovich's coverage of the war in Ukraine is likely what attracted authorities' attention.{{Cite news |last1=Victor |first1=Daniel |last2=Grynbaum |first2=Michael M. |date=March 30, 2023 |title=Russia detains a Wall Street Journal reporter, accusing him of espionage. |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/30/world/europe/russia-wsj-reporter-detained-gershkovich.html |url-status=live |access-date=March 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330185411/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/30/world/europe/russia-wsj-reporter-detained-gershkovich.html |archive-date=March 30, 2023 |issn=0362-4331}} Reporters Without Borders' Jeanne Cavalier said the arrest appeared to be "a retaliation measure" that was "very alarm(ing) because it is probably a way to intimidate all Western journalists that are trying to investigate aspects of the war on the ground in Russia".{{Cite web |last1=Sá Pessoa |first1=Gabriela |last2=Wong |first2=Edward |last3=Kurmanaev |first3=Anatoly |date=July 3, 2023 |title=Kremlin Addresses Possible Swap After Ambassador Meets With Gershkovich |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/03/world/europe/evan-gershkovich-russia-us-ambassador.html |access-date=July 4, 2023 |work=The New York Times}}

Former US ambassador in Russia John J. Sullivan said the arrest was likely a preliminary move in a desired prisoner exchange and that the fact Gershkovich had been charged with espionage rather than a lesser crime indicated the desired swap would likely be for a high-profile prisoner. Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov suggested that Gershkovich may be part of a prisoner swap.{{Cite web |last=Fassihi |first=Farnaz |date=April 25, 2023 |title=Russia's foreign minister hints of a possible prisoner swap for Gershkovich. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/25/world/europe/prisoner-swap-gershkovich-whelan.html |access-date=July 4, 2023 |work=The New York Times}} The Kremlin stated that Russia and the United States were in contact over a prisoner swap on July 3.

Former CIA Moscow station chief Daniel Hoffman agreed the timing of the arrest was "probably not a coincidence" and was likely ordered to gain leverage in a prisoner exchange.{{Cite web |last1=Cullison |first1=Alan |last2=Strobel |first2=Warren P. |date=March 31, 2023 |title=U.S.-Russia Rift Complicates Case of Arrested Journal Reporter |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-russia-rift-complicates-case-of-arrested-journal-reporter-585946be |access-date=March 31, 2023 |website=WSJ |language=en-US}} Hoffman noted the week before the arrest, the U.S. Department of Justice had indicted Sergey Cherkasov for espionage, asserting Cherkasov was a Russian spy enrolled at Johns Hopkins under the guise of being a student from Brazil. In March 2023, Cherkasov was imprisoned in Brazil for falsifying Brazilian documents, but the U.S. could seek to have him extradited in order to facilitate a prisoner swap. Cavalier also hypothesized Russia would use Gershkovich as a "bargaining chip" for Cherkasov.{{Cite magazine |last=Law |first=Tara |date=March 30, 2023 |title=The Real Reason Russia Charged a WSJ Reporter With Espionage |url=https://time.com/6267183/evan-gershkovich-arrested-wsj-russia-espionage/ |access-date=March 31, 2023 |magazine=Time |language=en}} Another exchange, hypothesized by Andrey Zakharov, would be Gershkovich and Paul Whelan for María Rosa Mayer Muños and Ludwig Gisch (aka Anna Dultseva and Artem Dultsev), who were arrested in Slovenia on charges of spying for Russia in January 2023.{{Cite web |date=June 18, 2024 |title=Russian spies on trial for impersonating Argentines face up to 8 years in jail {{!}} Buenos Aires Times |url=https://www.batimes.com.ar/news/world/secret-trial-against-russian-spies-impersonating-argentines-moves-forward-they-face-up-to-8-years-in-jail.phtml |access-date=2024-08-01 |website=www.batimes.com.ar}}{{Cite news |title=Арест журналиста WSJ Эвана Гершковича в России. Что рассказали Би-би-си те, кто с ним общался |language=ru |work=BBC News Русская служба |url=https://www.bbc.com/russian/news-65125572 |access-date=March 31, 2023}}{{Cite news |last=Walker |first=Shaun |date=March 24, 2023 |title=The 'ordinary' family at No 35: suspected Russian spies await trial in Slovenia |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/mar/24/suspected-russian-spies-trial-slovenia |access-date=March 31, 2023 |issn=0261-3077}} The Moscow Times affirmed that speculation centered on Cherkasov, Mayer, and Gisch.{{Cite web |last=Kozlov |first=Pyotr |date=March 31, 2023 |title=Hostage, Signal or Revenge? Spotlight on Russia's Reasons for Arresting WSJ Reporter |url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2023/03/31/hostage-signal-or-revenge-spotlight-on-russias-reasons-for-arresting-wsj-reporter-a80678 |access-date=March 31, 2023 |website=The Moscow Times |language=en}} President Joe Biden told reporters that he was "serious" about a prisoner swap at a news conference in Helsinki, Finland.{{Cite web |last=Yilek |first=Caitlin |date=July 13, 2023 |title=Biden says he's "serious" about prisoner exchange to free detained Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/evan-gershkovich-prisoner-exchange-biden-danielle-gershkovich/ |access-date=July 16, 2023 |publisher=CBS News}} Gershkovich's parents told ABC News anchor George Stephanopoulos that Biden would "do whatever it takes" to release him.{{Cite web |last=Oshin |first=Olafimihan |date=July 11, 2023 |title=Evan Gershkovich's parents say Biden promised to 'do whatever it takes' to bring son home |url=https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/4090458-evan-gershkovich-parents-say-biden-promised-to-do-whatever-it-takes-to-bring-son-home/ |access-date=July 16, 2023 |work=The Hill}}

Release

On August 1, 2024, news reports stated that Gershkovich, alongside Paul Whelan, was released as part of a prisoner exchange in Turkey.{{cite news |last=Jacobs |first=Jennifer |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-08-01/us-reporter-released-by-russia-in-multi-country-prisoner-swap |title=US Reporter Freed by Russia in Multi-Country Prisoner Swap |date=1 August 2024 |work=Bloomberg}}{{Cite news |last1=Troianovski |first1=Anton |last2=Mazzetti |first2=Mark |last3=Hubbard |first3=Ben |date=2024-08-01 |title=Live Updates: Russia Releases Evan Gershkovich in Sweeping Prisoner Swap, Turkish Officials Say |url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/08/01/world/russia-prisoner-swap-us |access-date=2024-08-01 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}} His exchange would later be considered a part of a 26 person swap of prisoners, making for the largest prisoner exchange in post-Cold War history.{{cite news |last1=Greenall |first1=Robert |title=Biggest Russia-West exchange since Cold War sees 24 prisoners freed |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c29d6k382k5o |access-date=4 August 2024 |publisher=BBC}}{{cite news |last1=Ilyushina |first1=Maya |last2=Dixon |first2=Robyn |last3=Westfall |first3=Sammy |last4=Brown |first4=Cate |title=A list of people freed in prisoner swap deal with Russia |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/08/01/russia-prisoner-swap-people-released/ |access-date=4 August 2024 |newspaper=The Washington Post}} After his release, Gershkovich attended Post Isolation Support Activities, a 10-day program offered by the Department of Defense to help former hostages acclimate back to regular life.{{cite news |last1=Siemaszko |first1=Corky |title=For Americans freed from Russia, the path to recovery starts in Texas |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/americans-freed-russia-path-recovery-starts-texas-rcna164943 |access-date=15 October 2024 |work=NBC News |date=2024-08-02}}