President Biden reaffirmed his promise to bring detained American journalist Evan Gershkovich home from Russia on Friday, one year after the Wall Street Journal reporter was arrested.
“Reporting is not a crime, and Evan went to Russia to do his job as a reporter–risking his safety to reveal the truth about Russia’s aggressive actions against Ukraine,” Biden said in a statement.
Biden assured Gershkovich’s parents that he will “never lose hope” and will “keep working every day” to secure the reporter’s release.
“We will continue to criticize and impose consequences for Russia’s terrible attempts to use Americans as bargaining tools. And will continue to stand firm against all those who attempt to attack the press or target journalists–the cornerstones of free society,” the statement said.
Biden spoke about Gershkovich and Paul Whelan, a former marine who has been detained in Russia since 2018, as well as all Americans held hostage abroad.
“We are with you,” Biden promised, “And we will never stop working to bring you home.”
In a rare joint statement, congressional leaders also criticized the Russian government for detaining Gershkovich.
“We continue to condemn his unfounded arrest, fabricated charges, and unfair imprisonment,” Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said in a statement.
The anniversary comes just days after a Moscow court prolonged Gershkovich’s pretrial detention until June 30.
On Friday, the Wall Street Journal left a gap on the front page of its print edition to highlight the first anniversary of Gershkovich’s detention. The front page of the paper is mainly filled with white space and a headline that reads: “HIS STORY SHOULD BE HERE.”
Gershkovich was detained during a reporting trip for the outlet in Yekaterinburg. He was charged with a suspicion of espionage and was detained by Russia’s Federal Security Service. The paper included a letter penned by his family.
