US State Department Officially Declares Wall Street Journal Reporter Wrongfully Detained by Russia

The US State Department on Monday officially declared Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich wrongfully detained by Russia. Secretary of State Antony Blinken made the determination, which means Gershkovich’s case will now be handled by the Office of the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs at the State Department.

The designation gives further backing to the assertions by the US government and the Wall Street Journal that the espionage charges against the reporter are baseless. It will also empower the Biden administration to explore avenues such as a prisoner swap to try to secure Gershkovich’s release.

State Department principal deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel said in a statement, “Today, Secretary Blinken made a determination that Evan Gershkovich is wrongfully detained by Russia.” Last week, Blinken said he considered Gershkovich wrongfully detained, and the Office of the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs has played a key role in the release of US citizens held abroad.

The Wall Street Journal has called for Gershkovich’s immediate release and expressed gratitude for the US government’s efforts to secure his freedom. The paper has also said the espionage charges against him are “absurd” and “unfounded.”

Gershkovich has been detained in Russia since April 2020, and his case has been closely monitored by the US government and the media. It is unclear when he will be released, but the State Department’s designation gives the Biden administration additional resources to secure his freedom.