It has been 100 days since the arrest and imprisonment of Evan Gershkovich, The Wall Street Journal journalist being held by Vladimir Putin's regime in Lefortovo prison, a few miles from the center of Moscow. Russian authorities proceeded to arrest him after he was accused by the Russian Federal Security Service of being a spy for the Biden administration.
At the time of Gershkovich's arrest, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said, "What the employee of The Wall Street Journal was doing in Ekaterinburg has nothing to do with journalism. Unfortunately, this is not the first time that the status of 'foreign correspondent,' journalist visa and accreditation are being used by foreigners in our country to cover up activities that are not journalistic."
Gershkovich's position has not changed: he has always denied working as a spy for the United States. This was also denied by the outlet he works for. "The Wall Street Journal vehemently denies the FSB's accusations and calls for the immediate release of our trusted and dedicated reporter, Evan Gershkovich. We stand in solidarity with Evan and his family," it said in a statement. But Putin's regime does not believe them. In June, the Russian judiciary refused to release him, despite the express request of the House of Representatives.
He will remain in Lefortovo prison until at least Aug. 30. If convicted, he could be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison.
