A bipartisan group of senators is demanding the immediate release of Evan Gershkovich, a Wall Street Journal reporter who was detained by Russian authorities and is now being held in a notorious prison in Moscow.
This week, Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), its Ranking Member, introduced a resolution along with 25 additional senators calling on Russia to free Gershkovich and urging the United States to press for his immediate release. The resolution can be found here.
The resolution also condemns Russia for unlawfully arresting U.S. citizens, calls for unrestricted access to Gershkovich, and demands the release of other wrongfully detained citizens, including former Marine Paul Whelan.
In a statement, Senator Cardin emphasized that Gershkovich was arrested for simply doing his job, reporting facts and shedding light on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s false justification for his illegal war against Ukraine. He expressed his dedication to fight for Gershkovich’s release and other wrongfully detained individuals, pledging to bring them safely back to their families.
Gershkovich was arrested in March on charges of espionage and is being held in Moscow’s brutal Lefortovo prison. Despite appeals for his release, Russian authorities have denied all requests, indicating that he will be held until at least November 30. However, his release is contingent on reaching a deal with U.S. officials.
The White House has confirmed that ongoing negotiations for a prisoner swap involving Gershkovich have taken place during the summer. However, little public progress has been made thus far. Russian Foreign Ministry officials have stated that a swap could potentially happen after a verdict is reached in Gershkovich’s trial.
Gershkovich’s arrest is significant as he is the first American reporter to be detained in Russia since the Cold War. His imprisonment, following his extensive reporting on Russian affairs during the war in Ukraine, has sparked immediate backlash from Western allies and press freedom organizations.
Senator Risch highlighted the critical importance of press freedom in holding governments accountable worldwide, stating, “Unfortunately, Evan Gershkovich was jailed for simply doing his job — reporting on Russia’s brutal and unprovoked war against Ukraine.”
Updated at 10:55 a.m.
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