Admin l Tuesday, April 11, 2023
WASHINGTON – The United States of America has condemned the decision by Russia to detain an American journalist, Evan Gershkovich, the second journalist to be detained by the Kremlin in recent times.
The Russian government detained Paul Whelan, a U.S journalist as relations between United States and Russia nosedived, following Russian war in Ukraine.
Calls for the release of Paul Whelan remained ignored by the Russians, now followed by the arrest and detention of Evan Gershkovich.
Speaking on the plight of the journalists, Vedant Patel, Principal Deputy Spokesperson Department of State said Secretary of State, Antony Blinken made a determination that Evan Gershkovich is wrongfully detained by Russia.
“Journalism is not a crime, he said, describing detention of the journalists as an attempt to repress independent voices “We condemn the Kremlin’s continued repression of independent voices in Russia, and its ongoing war against the truth”, the statement said.
He said the U.S. government will provide all appropriate support to Mr. Gershkovich and his family, and called on the Russian Federation to immediately release Mr. Gershkovich.
“We also call on Russia to release wrongfully detained U.S. citizen Paul Whelan”, he said.
