According to The Wall Street Journal, Evan Gershkovich was followed by members of the Russian security forces before his detention. During one of his assignments, several employees of Russian law enforcement agencies followed Gershkovich and recorded his movements on camera. They also put pressure on the sources he worked with. This happened again during another trip to Pskov, where Gershkovich was followed and recorded on camera by unidentified people. Gershkovich himself believed his phone could be tapped.
Gershkovich was detained in Yekaterinburg on March 30th, with the FSB claiming he collected secret information about a Russian military-industrial complex enterprise. The Kremlin stated he was caught in the act, and he was taken to Moscow where the Lefortovo court sanctioned his arrest on espionage charges. He could face 10-20 years in prison under this article.
After the incident, the US National Security Council representative called on US citizens in Russia to leave, as did White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, who stated that “Russia is not safe for Americans.” US President Joe Biden, as well as leading American media outlets and media executives from various countries, demanded the release of Evan Gershkovich.
Before the detention of journalist Evan Gershkovich, he was followed by members of the Russian security forces, according to The Wall Street Journal..
According to the publication, on one of the journalistic assignments, Gershkovich was followed by several employees of the Russian law enforcement agencies. Moreover, some of them recorded the movements of the journalist on camera. It is also reported that they put pressure on the sources with whom Gershkovich worked.
The same thing happened during another journalist’s trip. According to the WSJ, in Pskov, Gershkovich was followed and recorded on camera by people whom the journalist could not identify. The publication also notes that Gershkovich himself believed that his phone could be tapped.
The detention of Evan Gershkovich in Yekaterinburg became known on the morning of March 30th. The FSB of the Russian Federation claims that the journalist of The Wall Street Journal collected secret information about one of the enterprises of the Russian military-industrial complex. In turn, the Kremlin added that Gershkovich was “caught red-handed.” On the same day, the journalist was taken to Moscow, and the Lefortovo court sanctioned his arrest on charges of espionage. Under this article, Gershkovich can be given from ten to 20 years in prison.
After the incident, the representative of the US National Security Council, John Kirby, called on all US citizens in Russia to leave this country. With a similar statement spoke also White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, who noted that “Russia is not safe for Americans.”
US President Joe Biden, as well as leading American media Bloomberg, The New York Times, The Washington Post and Politico, and more than 30 media executives from different countries, demanded the release of Evan Gershkovich.
The detention of journalist Evan Gershkovich has brought to light concerning allegations of surveillance and intimidation faced by reporters in Russia. The Wall Street Journal’s report on Gershkovich being followed and recorded by members of the Russian security forces highlights the dangers of practicing journalism in the country. The charges of espionage against Gershkovich have sparked international condemnation and calls for his release by media executives and US President Joe Biden. The incident has also resulted in a warning from the US National Security Council for American citizens to avoid Russia. This case is a reminder of the importance of press freedom and the need to safeguard journalists’ safety, especially in countries where media censorship and intimidation are common tactics.