March 31, 2023
4 mins read

US journalist detained in Russia for espionage

This is the first such case of an American journalist detained in Russia for allegations of spying since the Cold War…reports Asian Lite News

The US has condemned in the “strongest terms” the detention of an American Wall Street Journal reporter, Evan Gershkovich, in Russia over alleged espionage.

This is the first such case of an American journalist detained in Russia for allegations of spying since the Cold War. Espionage in Russia carries a maximum jail term of 20 years.

In a statement on Thursday, Russia’s intelligence agency Federal Security Service (FSB) said that the 31-year-old reporter was detained in the Urals city of Yekaterinburg for “acting on the instructions of the American side, collected information constituting a state secret about the activities of one of the enterprises of the Russian military-industrial complex”.

According to The Wall Street Journal, Gershkovich is accredited to work as a journalist in Russia by the country’s Foreign Ministry.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said FSB investigators have opened a criminal case against the US citizen under Article 276 of the Russian Criminal Code (“Espionage”), reports Russia’s state-run TASS News Agency.

Moscow’s Lefortovsky District Court arrested the reporter until May 29, TASS said, adding that he will be lodged in the Lefortovo detention facility.

In response to the development, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the US is “deeply concerned by the troubling reports” of the reporter’s detention, adding that President Joe Biden has been informed of the development.

“The targeting of American citizens by the Russian government is unacceptable. We condemn the detention of Gershkovich in the strongest terms.

“We also condemn the Russian government’s continued targeting and repression of journalists and freedom of the press,” the Press Secretary added.

The Press Secretary went on to say that the State Department is in “direct touch with the Russian government on this matter, including actively working to secure consular access to Gershkovich”.

She also reiterated that Americans should heed the US government’s warning to not travel to Russia.

“US citizens residing or traveling in Russia should depart immediately, as the State Department continues to advise,” Jean-Pierre added.

In a statement on Thursday, The Wall Street Journal said it “vehemently” denied the allegations against its employee.

“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,” the newspaper said.

On his part, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that the US has sought immediate consular access to Gershkovich so that it can provide the appropriate support.

“In the strongest possible terms, we condemn the Kremlin’s continued attempts to intimidate, repress, and punish journalists and civil society voices… If you are a US citizen living or traveling in Russia, please leave immediately,” he added.

Gershkovich joined The Wall Street Journal in January 2022. He has worked as a reporter in Russia since 2017, first for the Moscow Times and then for Agence France-Presse (AFP).

Earlier, he was a news assistant in New York for the New York Times.

In his most recent Wall Street Journal piece, published this week, Gershkovich reported on Russia’s declining economy and how the Kremlin was having to deal with “ballooning military expenditures” while maintaining social spending.

Even before Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, reporting from the country had become increasingly difficult, says the BBC.

Independent journalists were labelled “foreign agents” and BBC Russia correspondent Sarah Rainsford was expelled from the country.

When the war began on February 24, 2022, Russia introduced a criminal offence for reporting “fake news” or “discrediting the army”, under which dozens of Russians have been convicted for criticising the invasion on social media.

Almost all independent media were silenced, shut down or blocked, including major outlets TV Rain, Echo of Moscow radio and newspaper Novaya Gazeta. Many Western media chose to leave Russia.

Tensions between the Kremlin and the West have become increasingly tense in the 13 months of Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Several US citizens are being held in Russia. Days before the invasion, American basketball star Brittney Griner was detained at a Moscow airport and jailed for carrying cannabis oil.

It was 10 months before she was freed in exchange for notorious Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout.

ALSO READ: N.Korea in ‘arms for food’ deal with Russia: US

Previous Story

Sunita Pant never held on to any feeling of ‘having achieved’

Next Story

Phillipe Model Paris lunches spring-summer sneaker collection

Latest from -Top News

Sisi, MBZ cement ties

UAE and Egypt bolster ties through high-level talks in Abu Dhabi and a landmark cardiac care initiative delivering lifesaving treatment to rural communities The United Arab Emirates and Egypt reaffirmed their strong

‘UAE leads global fight against plastic waste’

UAE accelerates its fight against plastic pollution with a bold single-use plastic ban and expanded environmental policies to safeguard natural ecosystems for future generations The United Arab Emirates continues to lead the

70,000 Gaza kids starve

WFP warned that any further escalation of conflict could paralyse relief operations altogether, deepening the plight of civilians—especially children, the elderly, and vulnerable groups As the humanitarian crisis in Gaza intensifies, the

Prayers on the Mount

The Day of Arafat, considered the pinnacle of the Hajj pilgrimage, witnessed a congregation of believers from around the world As the sun blazed overhead and temperatures climbed to a sweltering 41°C,

EID MUBARAK!

UAE marks Eid Al Adha with housing support, children’s gifts, pardons, and cultural celebrations, reflecting a national spirit of compassion, unity, and shared community values Across the UAE, Eid Al Adha is
Go toTop

Don't Miss

US envoy to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad steps down

Khalilzad, a leading US diplomat of Afghan-origin, has long been

Harris could win US election, says Scholz

Scholz said that Harris was “a competent and experienced politician