Detained WSJ Reporter Receives Visit from US Ambassador to Russia
United States Ambassador to Russia, Lynne Tracy, has been granted access to detained Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich. Tracy has visited Gershkovich twice before, with her most recent visit being in July. The reporter was detained in March by Russian agents on unverified espionage accusations while traveling in Yekaterinburg. Gershkovich is the first American journalist held by Russian authorities since the end of the Cold War, and both he and the U.S. government deny any involvement in spying. The U.S. Department of State has declared Gershkovich’s detention to be wrongful and is considering it for a potential future prisoner swap.
President Joe Biden has expressed his commitment to freeing Americans wrongfully detained in Russia and elsewhere. The U.S. Congress has also shown support for Gershkovich, calling on Russia to release him and allow access to U.S. officials. Legal experts predict that it could be months before Gershkovich faces trial, and if convicted of espionage, he could face a prison sentence of 10 to 20 years.
