Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov described the proposal to expel Russian journalists from the United States as absurd, in response to the recent arrest of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich in Yekaterinburg.
Peskov emphasized that all foreign journalists with valid accreditation in Russia can and will continue their activities in this country. According to the press secretary of the President of the Russian Federation, these journalists do not face any restrictions and continue to work freely.
“But in this case (in the case of Gershkovich – approximately) we are talking about activities under the guise of journalism, mainly espionage activities. The situation here is clear, as the Kremlin spokesman (Gershkovich) was caught red-handed.”
At the same time, he added, there is no reason to expel all Russian journalists from the United States.
“If there are violations, there are those who go beyond the limits prescribed by law, yes, but in this case it would be absurd and wrong to restrict the rights of conscientious journalists,” Peskov added.
On the eve of the Moscow Lefortovo Court arrested Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, previously detained in Yekaterinburg on suspicion of espionage. Criminal case marked “top secret”, journalist denies guilt.
According to the Federal Security Service of Russia, a US citizen Gershkovich collected information that constitutes a state secret “about the activities of one of the enterprises in the Russian military-industrial complex.”
later WSJ He insisted Deport all Russian journalists and the US ambassador on the background of Gershkovich’s arrest.