Evan Gershkovich.Photo: MAXIM SHIPENKOV/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Three of the world’s most notable newspapers are calling on PresidentJoe Biden’s administration to fight for the release ofWall Street Journalreporter Evan Gershkovich, who is currently imprisoned in Russia.
“Over the past month, we have watched our industry not only rally around Evan but stand up for journalism and the importance of a free press. We also encourage support from the US government, including President Biden and the White House,” it continues.
Highlighting how “the need for factual and reliable information has never been greater,” the letter then states that Gershkovich is part of “a disturbing trend where journalists are harassed arrested or worse for reporting the news.”
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Calling Gershkovich a “distinguished journalist” and applauding his coverage, the letter adds, “The unjust arrest of any reporter, anywhere in the world, is simply unacceptable.”
“We stand united in demanding Evan’s release and we won’t rest until he is safely brought back home,” it then concludes.
Various figureheads at the iconic publications signed their names in support, includingWSJeditor-in-chief Emma Tucker andWSJpublisher and Dow Jones CEO Almar Latour.Postexecutive editor Sally Buzbee and publisher and CEO Frederick J. Ryan Jr. also signed, as well as theTimes' executive editor, Joseph Kahn, and publisher and chairman A.G. Sulzberger.
TheWSJnow plans to run anad in its paper each weekthat will highlight stories about Gershkovich from his colleagues in the newsroom.
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According toGershkovich’s author pageon theWSJwebsite, he has worked as a reporter in Russia since 2017. He has also previously worked at theTimes,Agence France-Presse and theMoscow Times.
Earlier this week, Gershkovich appeared in court in Russia at an appeal hearing against his arrest and detention at Moscow’s Lefortovo prison.
According toBBC News,the Russian court rejected the appeal against his pre-trial detention. The journalist’s appearance in court was to determine whether he will still be held in pre-trial detention at the prison until at least May 29, according toSky News.
Gershkovich previously filed a complaint against the decision to keep him in custody while the case is being investigated, perThe Guardian.
In remarks delivered on Monday, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield said, “We will not stop, we will not rest, and we will not relent until Paul, Evan, and all hostages and wrongfully detained Americans are brought back, safe and sound.”
source: people.com
