A Wall Street Journal reporter jailed on suspicion of espionage for the United States. Russia announced on Thursday, bringing quick condemnation from the West and requests for his release.
Evan Gershkovich, age 31, is the first foreign journalist will charged of espionage. That is since President Vladimir Putin sent troops to Ukraine a year ago. This statement represents a significant escalation in the Kremlin’s efforts to muzzle perceived opponents.
While, The Wall Street Journal expressed grave concern about his safety and categorically refuted the FSB security service’s claim. That he “suspected of espionage for the American government.”
His incarceration prompted criticism from Western authorities and media freedom organisations.
Anne-Claire Legendre, a spokesperson for the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated. “We are particularly concerned and have condemned Russia’s restrictive stance” against Russian and foreign media.
According to Reporters Without Borders (RSF), an international media watchdog, it “alarmed by what appears as reprisal.”
Gershkovich, according to RSF, “was studying the military corporation Wagner”. A mercenary organisation playing a significant role in Russia’s assault in Ukraine.
Moreover, The FSB observed that Gershkovich was using press credentials given by the Russian ministry of foreign affairs.
According to the report, he jailed for gathering intelligence on Russia’s “military-industrial complex.”
“The foreigner apprehended in Yekaterinburg while attempting to obtain sensitive information.” The FSB said, referring to a city 1,800 kilometres (1,100 miles) east of Moscow.
According to the state news outlet RIA Novosti, citing a Moscow court, the FSB has requested the journalist’s detention.
Both the Kremlin and foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said that Gershkovich “caught red-handed.”
