Wall Street Journal Editor-in-Chief Condemns Arrest of American Journalist in Russia

What You Need To Know:

• The Wall Street Journal’s editor-in-chief, Emma Tucker, has condemned the detainment of American journalist Evan Gershkovich in Russia as “completely unacceptable.” Gershkovich, who had a valid visa and Russian government accreditation, was arrested on charges of espionage and is being held in detainment until May 29.
• Top U.S. officials, including President Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, have called for Gershkovich’s release. The Wall Street Journal has pulled its Moscow bureau chief out of Russia and is making plans for other connected individuals in the country.
• The espionage allegations have been dismissed as bogus, and Gershkovich’s friends and colleagues have described him as an experienced journalist who was simply doing his job.

Emma Tucker, the editor-in-chief of The Wall Street Journal, has spoken out against the arrest and detainment of American journalist Evan Gershkovich in Russia, calling it “completely unacceptable.”

Gershkovich, a veteran reporter for The Wall Street Journal with a valid visa and accreditation from the Russian government, was arrested on charges of espionage and is being held until May 29.

The United States government, including President Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, has demanded Gershkovich’s release.

Asked about @WSJ reporter Evan Gershkovich, an accredited American reporter, who was arrested in Russia on espionage charges, President Biden said, “Let him go” and added there is a process. pic.twitter.com/rdT4376D4Y— Kelly O’Donnell (@KellyO) March 31, 2023

The Wall Street Journal has pulled its Moscow bureau chief out of Russia and is making plans for other individuals connected to the publication who are still in the country.

Gershkovich’s friends and colleagues have dismissed the espionage allegations as bogus and described him as an experienced journalist who was simply doing his job. New York Times reporter Michael Schwirtz, who is friends with Gershkovich, called the arrest “absurd” and said that Russia has a history of detaining Americans for use as bargaining chips.

The safety of journalists is a growing concern, particularly in Russia and other countries where press freedom is threatened.

The Wall Street Journal remains committed to reporting fairly and squarely from all over the world, but Tucker emphasized that the safety of their journalists comes first.

Source: foxnews.com