EU condemns Russia for detaining The Wall Street Journal reporter
The head of the EU foreign policy department, Josep Borrell, condemned Russia for detaining The Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich.
This was reported by the European Pravda.
In his official Twitter account, Borrell stressed that journalists must be able to work freely.
The EU condemns the detention of @evangershkovich, a journalist and U.S. citizen, in Russia.
Journalists must be allowed to exercise their profession freely and deserve protection.
The Russian authorities demonstrate yet again their systematic disregard for media freedom.— Josep Borrell Fontelles (@JosepBorrellF) March 30, 2023
As the IMI reported, on March 30, the Russian FSB reported having detained The Wall Street Journal journalist Evan Gershkovich, who was working on a report about the Russians' attitude to the war and to the PMC "Wagner" recruitment efforts.
The special service accused the journalist of espionage. A criminal case was opened under Article 276 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (espionage). The article provides for up to 20 years in prison. The reporter was detained in Yekaterinburg.
The Wall Street Journal editors denied the FSB's allegations and called for Gershkovich's immediate release.
The Lefortovo Court of Moscow arrested WSJ journalist Evan Gershkovich for "espionage".
The US Administration said that the "espionage" allegations brought by the Russian authorities against The Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich are unfounded.
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