Freedom Publishers Union

August 10, 2024 | [STATEMENT] Freedom Publishers Union Welcomes Release of Evan Gershkovich

Freedom Publishers Union welcomes the release of Evan Gershkovich from imprisonment, by Russia.

On August 1, 2024, Freedom Publishers Union learned Evan Gershkovich had been released from Russia, as part of a prisoner exchange deal, which resulted from complex and sensitive negotiations involving the US, Germany, Turkey and Russia.

Gershkovich was arrested, sentenced and imprisoned for 16 years in Russia on false espionage charges after being accused of collecting secrets for the CIA.

The charges were entirely false and had no basis, and it is highly likely that he was being used by Russia as a political pawn.

He was convicted through secret Russian court proceedings, and to date there has been no evidence presented to the public to warrant any convictions for espionage or spying.

At the present time, it is unknown whether Evan Gershkovich will return to the Wall Street Journal, as a journalist.

Written by The Editorial Board.