Moscow – US journalist arrested in Russia on suspicion of espionage. Evan Gershkovich, a reporter for the US newspaper Wall Street Journal, was arrested by the Russian security agency, the Federal Security Service. This is the first time an American journalist has been arrested in Russia for espionage since 1986. This has intensified the friction between the major powers over the war in Ukraine. The US has ordered all its citizens to leave Russia immediately.
Russian authorities said Jershkovich was arrested in Yekaterinburg, a city in the Ural Mountains, while trying to leak an official secret. The Wall Street Journal, which denied the allegations, expressed concern for the reporter’s safety. Espionage is a crime punishable by up to 20 years in prison. It is not clear who was arrested. The US State Department has been in direct contact with Russian authorities over the incident.
English Summary: Russia arrests US journalist Evan Gershkovich on spying charge