Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who has been unjustly detained by Russia for nearly 300 days, has been named the National Press Foundation’s 2023 President’s Award and will be honored at the organization’s ceremony in February. It’s planned.
Mr. Gershkovic was arrested on March 29, 2023, while on a reporting trip and charged with spying, a charge denied by Mr. Gershkovic, the United States, and the Wall Street Journal.
The Chairman’s Award recognizes individuals who have made a significant impact on journalism even though their accomplishments fall outside of traditional categories of excellence.
“The National Press Foundation supports the cause of press freedom. The detention of Evan Gershkovich is an unjust act that violates the fundamentals of journalism, and his immediate release is essential to protecting journalistic freedom.” ,” said Amos Snead, president of the National Press Foundation.
Last month, the Moscow City Court rejected Gershkovych’s appeal for release, upholding a November ruling extending his pretrial detention until January 30.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said he hoped to reach an agreement with the United States on a possible prisoner swap for Gershkovic and former Marine security official Paul Whelan, who is also imprisoned on spying charges. Ta.
Mr. Gershkovych was arrested by Russian authorities on March 29 on suspicion of espionage in the city of Yekaterinburg, about 1,243 miles east of Moscow, becoming the first Western journalist to be arrested on suspicion of espionage in Russia since the Soviet era.
Russia’s Federal Security Service claimed that Mr. Gershkovitch was trying to obtain classified information about a Russian weapons factory. If he is convicted, he could be sentenced to 20 years in prison.
Mr. Gershkovitch’s lawyers and the Wall Street Journal maintain that the accusations are baseless, and Russia has not publicly provided evidence. The United States declared Mr. Gershković “unlawfully detained” and accused Russia of using him for “hostage diplomacy.” U.S. officials say Gershkovic’s release is a top priority for the White House.