Evan Gershkovich, a Wall Street Journal journalist who has been charged with espionage in Russia, has written his first letter to his family from the Lefortovo pre-trial detention center. The letter, written in Russian, which is the language he communicates with his parents, Soviet emigrants Ella Milman and Mikhail Gershkovich, expresses his hope and gratitude for their support. The WSJ posted a photograph of a part of the letter dated April 5, in which he says that he loves his family very much and has received a package from a friend containing toiletries, slippers, clothes and pens. Gershkovich also joked about his mother having prepared him well for the prison food, adding that he is trying to stay positive and find inspiration to write something good. On March 30, he was arrested in Yekaterinburg and accused of collecting information about a state secret. According to Art. 276 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (espionage), Gershkovich has been charged with spying. Despite lawyers being allowed to see him, the consuls have still not been allowed permission to visit him.
The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) journalist Evan Gershkovich, who was arrested in Russia on espionage charges, sent his first letter to his family from the Lefortovo pre-trial detention center, the newspaper reported. The letter is written in Russian, because he communicates in this language with his parents, Soviet emigrants Ella Milman and Mikhail Gershkovich.
WSJ published photograph of the last part of his letter dated April 5, which reads: “I love you very, very much and hug you tightly. I received your words of support from the lawyers yesterday. Thank you very much. See you soon. Write. Vania”.
In the letter, Mr. Gershkovich said that he did not lose hope. He joked that his mother “prepared him well for prison food”, because in the pre-trial detention center they give oatmeal or wheat porridge for breakfast in the morning, which reminds him of his childhood. He confirmed that he had received a package from a friend containing toiletries, slippers, clothes and pens. The journalist added that “now he has more clothes and things than mom and dad at home.”
“I am reading. I practice. And I’m trying to write. Maybe, finally, I will write something good,” his letter says. Evan Gershkovich also jokingly noted that because of the experience that fell to his family members, they “probably would like to give him a slap in the face.” “Don’t worry. You will have a chance to do it,” he wrote.
The FSB announced the arrest of Evan Gershkovich in Yekaterinburg on March 30. According to the special service, the journalist collected information about one of the enterprises of the Russian military-industrial complex, which constitutes a state secret. He was arrested under Art. 276 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (espionage).
On April 4, Evan Gershkovich met with lawyers in the pre-trial detention center. On April 11, the US authorities found the WSJ journalist wrongfully detained, which gives them grounds to act in the interests of his release. The consuls have still not been allowed to see the journalist.
Details of the case can be found in the Kommersant publication “The American Journalist Was Given Status”.
As the case of Evan Gershkovich, the Wall Street Journal journalist arrested in Russia on espionage charges, continues to unfold, his first letter to his family has been published. Despite being detained in a pre-trial detention center and facing serious charges, Gershkovich’s letter shows optimism and humor. He expressed gratitude for the support received and even joked about his mother’s cooking preparing him for prison food. Meanwhile, the US authorities have found him wrongfully detained, giving them grounds to act in the interest of his release. The situation is ongoing, and we will continue to follow developments closely.