The family of reporter Evan Gershkovich speaks out for the first time since he was detained in Russia on March 29 in an interview with The Wall Street Journal. Photo: William Mauldin wrote Brian Troy for The Wall Street Journal. Follow Updated April 17, 2023 at 5:37 a.m. ET PRINT TEXT More than 40 nations have signed a statement condemning Russia for the detention of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and protesting Russia's efforts to intimidate the media.
The statement, which was circulated at the United Nations with assistance from the United States, urges Moscow to "end the draconian crackdown on freedom of expression, including against members of the media" and "release those they hold on political grounds."
The Wall Street Journal vigorously refutes the allegations that the 31-year-old reporter, a U.S. citizen, was arrested on March 29 while on a reporting trip inside Russia and charged with espionage.
According to Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the United States' ambassador to the United Nations, the nations that have signed the statement are "calling on Russia to immediately release Evan Gershkovich and to end its draconian crackdown on free press."
This statement should convey a clear message: Before the statement was made public on Monday, she stated to The Wall Street Journal, "Journalism is not a crime."
READ EVAN GERSHKOVICH'S WORK A selection of the WSJ reporter's coverage of Putin's Russia and a war-torn nation The State Department declared Mr. Gershkovich to have been "wrongfully detained" a week ago. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has demanded that U.S. officials have immediate access to the journalist. After his arrest on an espionage charge nearly three weeks ago, Russian officials have denied him consular access.
According to Maria Zakharova, a spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, U.S. consular officials will be permitted to visit "in due time in accordance with the consular practices and Russian legislation." Mr. Gershkovich's denial of access by Russia has not been explained in detail.
Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the U.S's. delegate to the Unified Countries, during a Security Chamber meeting.
PHOTO: JOHN MINCHILLO/ASSOCIATED PRESS U.N. officials linked the statement, which is expected to be released on Monday, to the May 3 celebration of World Press Freedom Day. They stated that Russia has signed the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which includes allowing journalists to perform their duties.
According to media organizations, press freedom is under threat in numerous regions of the world. The majority of those who have signed the statement regarding Mr. Gershkovich so far are either European nations or highly industrialized allies of the United States, such as Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, and South Korea.
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