On Tuesday, the Kremlin said Wall Street Journal writer Evan Gershkovich had “violated Russian law” and been caught “red-handed,” one day after the U.S. State Department declared him “wrongfully detained” by Russia.
The White House, several Western countries, the Wall Street Journal, hundreds of media organizations, and human rights groups denounced Gershkovich’s FSB espionage arrest last month.
The United States Monday judgment that he was “wrongfully imprisoned” implies that he was targeted solely because he is an American citizen. It’s shifting of the case from the State Department to the Special Envoy for Hostage Issues enhances the issue’s political prominence.
“We’re making it real plain that it’s entirely unlawful what’s occurring and we announced it, so — alters the dynamic,” U.S. President Joe Biden told reporters on Tuesday, adding that he has been attempting to contact Gershkovich’s family.
Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesperson, said Tuesday that Gershkovich infringed the law when asked about the U.S. move.
“I don’t grasp the new regime’s advances. I’m unsure “Peskov stated. “This is what he’s suspected of, but of course, the court will make a conclusion,” he added of Gershkovich.
Rights groups have long criticized Russia for its lack of judicial independence since over 99% of criminal proceedings end in a prosecution conviction.
Russia’s secret Gershkovich case had no proof.
Gershkovich’s lawyers will challenge an order to hold him in pre-trial custody in Moscow’s Lefortovo jail until May 29.
Paul Whelan’s brother David claimed he spoke to his parents on Monday for the first time in 12 days and was aware of Gershkovich’s situation.
In December, the U.S. released Brittney Griner in exchange for weapons dealer Viktor Bout without including Whelan, a former Marine jailed in Russia since 2018.
“Paul’s anxiety of being left behind a third time was evidently palpable in his talk with our parents yesterday,” David Whelan stated. “An appalling treachery.”
