Russia Denies Putin Direct Involvement in Gershkovich Arrest

The Kremlin’s spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, rejected at a briefing the suggestion that President Vladimir Putin personally directed the arrest of American journalist Evan Gershkovich. The claim appeared in a Bloomberg report, which prompted a swift clarification from officials in Moscow. Peskov stated clearly that the arrest and detention were actions carried out by the security and investigative services, not a direct presidential decision. He emphasized that the journalist was caught in the act of suspected wrongdoing, noting that the authorities acted within their assigned remit to investigate potential violations of Russian law. This remark came as part of a broader effort to explain the procedures involved and to reassure the public that due process was followed in the case (Bloomberg).