Last Updated: April 08, 2023, 03:49 IST
US officers stated they had 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)
This White House assertion comes after Russia formally charged the US citizen with espionage
The White House on Friday rejected the espionage fees filed in opposition to jailed US journalist Evan Gershkovich, reiterating that The Wall Street Journal reporter has by no means labored for the federal government.
“I’ve stated it earlier than and I’ll say it once more: Evan Gershkovich just isn’t a spy. He has by no means been a spy. He has by no means labored for the U.S. authorities,” White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a Twitter post.
“These charges are completely baseless. He is an independent journalist employed by the Wall Street Journal. He and fellow American Paul Whelan should be released immediately,” she added.
I’ve stated it earlier than and I’ll say it once more:Evan Gershkovich just isn’t a spy.
He has by no means been a spy.
He has by no means labored for the U.S. authorities.
— Karine Jean-Pierre (@PressSec) April 7, 2023
This White House assertion comes after Russia formally charged the US citizen with espionage, Russian information company TASS reported.
Gershkovich, who labored within the Moscow bureau of The Wall Street Journal, and was beforehand detained in Yekaterinburg after which arrested in Moscow.
As per the Russian information company, the US journalist has denied the fees.
“The FSB (Federal Security Service) investigation charged Gershkovich with espionage within the pursuits of his nation. He categorically denied all accusations and acknowledged that he was engaged in journalistic actions in Russia,” the TASS quoted a source as saying.
Meanwhile, The Wall Street Journal also dismissed spying charges against Evan Gershkovich.
“We’ve seen media reports indicating Evan has been charged. As we’ve said from the beginning, these charges are categorically false and unjustified, and we continue to demand Evan’s immediate release,” the newspaper stated in a press release.
Evan Gershkovich, 31, was detained on March 29 in Moscow. He is the primary American journalist detained in Russia on espionage fees for the reason that finish of the Cold War.
Gershkovich is the American son of Soviet-born Jewish exiles who had settled in New Jersey. Espionage fees depart him going through a doable jail sentence of as much as 20 years, based on Reporters Without Border.
His employer, colleagues and the Biden administration all deny Russia’s declare that he was spying on behalf of the US, and have known as for his quick launch.
(With company inputs)
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