Release Of WSJ Reporter Called Top Priority For TWH

Evan Gershkovich

The White House said the release of Evan Gershkovich is a priority for President Biden, as lawyers visited the jailed Wall Street Journal reporter nearly a week after Russian authorities arrested him on charges of espionage.

“These charges are ridiculous. Evan is not a spy,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters on Tuesday. 

“This is a case that is a priority for this president,” Jean-Pierre said Tuesday, adding that the U.S. will continue pressing for his release and seek consular access to him. Representatives from the U.S. Embassy haven’t been granted consular access to Gershkovich.

The Journal vehemently denies the charge against Gershkovich and continues to call for his immediate release. 

Mr. Gershkovich’s lawyers met with him in prison Tuesday. “They said Evan’s health is good, and he is grateful for the outpouring of support from around the world,” said Emma Tucker, the Journal’s editor in chief. 

“The legal avenue is one of several avenues we are working to advocate for Evan’s release,” she said. “We continue to work with the White House, State Department and relevant U.S. government officials to secure Evan’s release.”