Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday said that he has “no doubt” Russia wrongfully detained Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who was arrested last week on accusations of spying.
United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken addresses a media conference during a meeting of NATO foreign ministers at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Wednesday, April 5, 2023. Justin Tasolides and Associated PressPUBLISHED 11:34 AM EDT Apr.
“In my mind, there is no doubt that he is being wrongfully detained by Russia,” Blinken told reporters at NATO headquarters in Brussels, but added that a formal determination about Gershkovich’s situation – which would elevate the U.S. government’s response – has yet to be made. Blinken also urged Lavrov to release Paul Whelan, an American imprisoned by Russia on spying charges and sentenced to 16 years in prison in 2020. The U.S. has already determined that Whelan is being wrongfully detained by Russia.
Lawyers for Gershkovich, the son of immigrants from the Soviet Union who grew up speaking Russian at home in Princeton, New Jersey, have appealed his arrest. The Journal has adamantly denied the allegations and demanded his release. U.S. officials have also called on Russia to free him, with President Joe Biden telling reporters on Friday that his message to Russia was: “Let him go.”
Emma Tucker, the Journal's editor-in-chief, said it was “gratifying” and “reassuring” to learn of Blinken’s call with Lavrov because it shows the U.S. government is taking the case “right up to the top.”
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