Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich was formally charged with espionage in Russia on Friday after initially being detained by Russian authorities last week. Gershkovich denied the charge and maintained that he was engaged in journalistic activities, according to the Russian state-run news agency TASS. The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) accused the Journal reporter last Thursday of trying to gain access to classified information. “This is a case that is a priority for the president.”Gershkovich’s detainment also prompted a rare joint statement from Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) on Friday, as they called for the reporter’s release. “Let there be no mistake: journalism is not a crime,” the pair said.

Source: Wall Street Journal April 08, 2023 03:33 UTC