The ordeal of the American journalist imprisoned in Russia

2023-07-14 16:05:06, Kosova & Bota CNA

American journalist Evan Gershkovich continues to be held prisoner in Russia. As "Voice of America" ??correspondent Liam Scott reports, family members and colleagues spoke about the efforts they are making for his release.

Journalist Evan Gershkovich's sister, Danielle, still finds it hard to believe her brother's arrest. She says the family can't wait for the Wall Street Journal reporter to come home.

"We're just trying to learn everything we can, and try to stay strong, try to keep the focus on Evan's case ," Danielle says.

Evan Gershkovich was performing his role as a journalist on March 29 when Russia jailed him on espionage charges.

Mr. Gershkovich himself, The Wall Street Journal, and US authorities deny the allegations and say he is being held illegally.

The paper's legal adviser, Jason Conti, says Russia has denied requests for bail and further consular visits. And every day that Evan continues to stay behind bars adds to the pain.

In response to a VOA request for comment, the Russian embassy in Washington referred to a statement by Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov, who has mentioned the possibility of a prisoner exchange.

US President Joe Biden said on Thursday that the process is "under way".

While Mr. Gershkovich has already been jailed for over 100 days, family and colleagues are trying to stay strong.

"I don't think there was anything special about Evan or the Wall Street Journal." He was an American trying there to reflect Russia's point of view, and it could have been someone else instead. And I think it's discouraging when you see journalism being treated as a crime ," said Paul Beckett, Washington editor-in-chief of "The Wall Street Journal."

Russia has a history of not respecting press freedom, but it is not the only country that imprisons Western journalists.

Washington Post contributor Jason Rezaian, who spent 544 days in a Tehran prison, offered his advice on Evan's case.

"This nightmare will end someday, but it's hard to know when, and I think the uncertainty of Evan's situation is the most difficult aspect ," said Mr. Rezaian.

Around the world, more and more journalists are at risk of arrest like Mr. Gershkovich, in countries like China, Russia and Iran, Mr. Rezaian says.

"My biggest concern is that these problems are getting worse and worse. More and more Americans, more and more journalists are facing these problems around the world ," he said.

And as it becomes more and more difficult for journalists to report from inside Russia, the audience is increasingly left in the news./ REL