Last Updated: March 31, 2023, 01:38 IST
US officers stated they have been in contact with the household of detained journalist Evan Gershkovich in addition to the newspaper and that the State Department had contacted Russia. (Image: Alison Daisy Rhodes/Facebook)
US officers stated they have been in contact with the household of detained journalist Evan Gershkovich in addition to the newspaper
The United States on Thursday condemned Russia’s detention of an American journalist writing for The Wall Street Journal and stated it was looking for consular entry.
US officers stated they have been in contact with the household of detained journalist Evan Gershkovich in addition to the newspaper and that the State Department had contacted Russia.
“The concentrating on of American residents by the Russian authorities is unacceptable. We condemn the detention of Mr. Gershkovich within the strongest phrases,” White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement.
“I want to strongly reiterate that Americans should heed the US government’s warning to not travel to Russia. US citizens residing or traveling in Russia should depart immediately.”
Reacting to the accusation that the journalist was spying, Jean-Pierre later informed reporters, “The cost of espionage is ridiculous.”
President Joe Biden had been briefed on the detention, the White House said.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken in a statement connected the detention to the crackdown on media in Russia, whose relations with Washington have nosedived since the invasion of Ukraine.
“In the strongest possible terms, we condemn the Kremlin’s continued attempts to intimidate, repress, and punish journalists and civil society voices,” Blinken stated.
Gershkovich is believed to be the primary international journalist to be detained on suspicion of spying in post-Soviet Russia.
White House nationwide safety spokesman John Kirby stated he understood that journalists should take dangers and achieve this knowingly.
“We respect that, however it doesn’t change our deep concern in regards to the presence of Americans” still in Russia, Kirby told reporters.
Several other US citizens are in jail including Paul Whelan, a former Marine, who was arrested in 2018 and handed a 16-year sentence on espionage charges that he denies.
“This is not a new tactic for Mr. Putin and for Russian officials to detain foreigners and particular Americans,” Kirby stated.
“It’s definitely not new for Mr. Putin to strike again towards a free and unbiased press,” he said.
Whelan’s brother voiced sorrow over Gershkovich’s detention and called on the Biden administration to prioritize releasing detained Americans.
“Whatever it takes, I hope the US government moves quickly and decisively so that Paul and Mr. Gershkovich are able to return to their families and loved ones soon,” David Whelan stated in an announcement.
Russia and the United States, regardless of excessive tensions, have carried out current prisoner swaps together with one which led to the discharge of US basketball star Brittney Griner.
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(This story has not been edited by News18 workers and is printed from a syndicated information company feed)
