March 30th 2023.
Russia's security service has arrested an American reporter for The Wall Street Journal on espionage charges, the first time a US correspondent has been detained on spying accusations since the Cold War. The newspaper has denied the allegations and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has condemned the move "in the strongest possible terms".
Evan Gershkovich was detained in the Ural Mountains city of Yekaterinburg while allegedly attempting to obtain classified information, according to the Federal Security Service, known by the acronym FSB. The FSB claims that Gershkovich was "acting on the US orders to collect information about the activities of one of the enterprises of the Russian military-industrial complex that constitutes a state secret".
The Wall Street Journal has expressed "vehement" denial of the allegations and is standing in solidarity with Gershkovich and his family. Secretary of State Blinken has also voiced "deep concern" over the detention and has sought consular access to the journalist.
This arrest comes at a time when tensions between the West and Moscow are high and the Kremlin is intensifying its crackdown on opposition activists and independent journalists. Gershkovich is the first American reporter to be arrested on espionage charges in Russia since September 1986.
READ MORE: One Nation NSW leader Mark Latham blasted for 'disgusting' homophobic tweet
(Image Source: http://www.9news.com.au)
Although previous American detainees have been released in prisoner swaps, a top Russian official has said it is too early to talk about any such deal. Gershkovich may face up to 20 years in prison if convicted of espionage, and may be held for up to 18 months during the investigation.
The FSB has noted that Gershkovich had accreditation from the Russian Foreign Ministry to work as a journalist, but ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Gershkovich was using his journalistic credentials as a cover for "activities that have nothing to do with journalism".
READ MORE: No-nudity policy at NSW surf club causes controversy
(Image Source: http://www.9news.com.au)
Russia's security service has arrested an American reporter for The Wall Street Journal on espionage charges, the first time a US correspondent has been detained on such accusations since the Cold War. The Wall Street Journal has denied the allegations and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has condemned the move "in the strongest possible terms".
Evan Gershkovich was detained in the Ural Mountains city of Yekaterinburg while allegedly attempting to obtain classified information. The Federal Security Service (FSB) has accused Gershkovich of acting on US orders to collect information about the activities of a Russian military-industrial complex which is a state secret.
The Wall Street Journal has stated they "vehemently deny the allegations from the FSB and seek the immediate release of our trusted and dedicated reporter, Evan Gershkovich" and have expressed their "solidarity with Evan and his family". Secretary of State Blinken has also declared the US government to be "deeply concerned" and is actively seeking consular access for Gershkovich.
(Image Source: http://www.9news.com.au)
This alarming news comes at a time of rising tensions between the West and Moscow and a crackdown on opposition activists, independent journalists and civil society groups. Earlier this week, a Russian court convicted a father over social media posts critical of the war and sentenced him to two years in prison while his 13-year-old daughter was sent to an orphanage.
If convicted of espionage, Gershkovich could face up to 20 years in prison. However, prominent lawyers have noted that past investigations have taken up to 18 months, during which time he may be held with little contact with the outside world.
The US and Russia are both actively seeking a resolution to this situation and while no prisoner swaps have been mentioned, there is hope that Gershkovich may soon be released. READ MORE: No-nudity policy at NSW surf club causes controversy
[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]
