US President Joe Biden said that he admired American The Wall Street Journal journalist Evan Gershkovich, who was accused of spying in the Russian Federation. This has been reported Web site White House.
Biden emphasized that he “incredibly admires” Gershkovich and noted that the journalist did not give up.
According to the US President, he will not lose hope; Washington will work every day for his release. Biden emphasized that the US side will continue to condemn and fine Russia’s attempts to use US citizens as bargaining tools.
Before this, John Kirby, strategic communications coordinator for the US National Security Council, said in a briefing that Washington continues to look for prisoner exchange opportunities with Moscow.
Gershkovich was detained by security forces in Yekaterinburg on March 30, 2023. The man was accused of violating Art. 276 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (espionage), the maximum penalty is imprisonment for up to 20 years. According to the FSB’s version, the reporter was collecting information about one of the enterprises of the Russian military-industrial complex that constituted a state secret. Gershkovich’s detention was recently extended until June 30, 2024.
Former US Ambassador to the Russian Federation requested Release Gershkovich.