Russians arrest American journalist, accuse him of espionage

MOSCOW, RUSSIA – Russia has arrested an American citizen working as a journalist for a major publication and accused him of espionage.

Russia’s Federal Security Service reportedly admitted they abducted Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who was actively reporting on Russia’s attack on Ukraine. One of his latest articles claimed “Russia’s economy is starting to come undone” among other unfavorable statements.

Antony J. Blinken, U.S. Secretary of State, made the following statement this morning:

We are deeply concerned over Russia’s widely-reported detention of a U.S. citizen journalist. We are in contact with the Wall Street Journal on this situation. Whenever a U.S. citizen is detained abroad, we immediately seek consular access, and seek to provide all appropriate support. In the strongest possible terms, we condemn the Kremlin’s continued attempts to intimidate, repress, and punish journalists and civil society voices. The Department of State’s highest priority is the safety and security of U.S. citizens abroad. We reiterate our strong warnings about the danger posed to U.S. citizens inside the Russian Federation. U.S. citizens residing or traveling in Russia should depart immediately, as stated in our Travel Advisory for Russia.

Russia is notorious for abducting or “arresting” Americans they can get access to and holding them as pawns in a diplomatic game as a major war they started in Ukraine smolders. Back in December, months of grueling captivity in Russian prisons came to an end for American basketball star and gold medal basketball player Brittney Griner, who was held there after a drug bust.