The United States House of Representatives has unanimously approved a resolution demanding that Russia release Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich. While the congressional
resolution does not carry the force of law, it strongly urges Gershkovich's immediate release from prison and emphasizes that he should be provided full access to U.S. consular staff until his release.
Evan Gershkovich, aged 31, has been held in a Russian prison since March 29 on espionage charges, which he, the U.S. government, and the Wall Street Journal vehemently deny. Recently, his pretrial detention was extended until at least August 30. If convicted, Gershkovich could face up to 20 years in a Russian penal colony.
As the son of Jewish refugees from the Soviet Union, Gershkovich's case has garnered attention and support from Jewish communities and organizations worldwide, all advocating for his immediate release.
Introduced by Republican Representative Michael McCaul of Texas, who serves as the chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, the resolution also calls for the prompt release of Paul Whelan. Whelan, a former U.S. Marine, was arrested in Russia in 2018 on espionage charges and is currently serving a 16-year sentence.
During the House floor discussion on Tuesday, Rep. McCaul emphasized the lack of evidence supporting the accusations against Gershkovich, stating, "No evidence has been presented to back up this accusation because there is no evidence." He further highlighted that Gershkovich was simply performing his duties as a journalist, reporting on news in Russia.
McCaul expressed his concerns about Russian President Vladimir Putin's hostility towards press freedom, noting that Putin attempts to suppress information about his government's corruption and Ukraine-related atrocities from reaching the Russian public. By detaining Gershkovich and others, Putin aims to stifle independent reporting and maintain a veil of secrecy around his regime.
The resolution serves as a powerful statement from the U.S. House of Representatives, underscoring the importance of press freedom and calling on Russia to release Evan Gershkovich without delay. The international community continues to monitor the situation closely, urging justice and the protection of journalists' rights. Photo by Quistnix, Wikimedia commons.