Biden urges Russia to release detained U.S. journalist

OAN Geraldyn Berry
UPDATED 3:45 PM – Friday, March 31, 2023

President Joe Biden has called on Russia to release Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who was arrested on espionage allegations. The publication has strongly denied the accusation.

Biden spoke to reporters at the White House who asked him to address Russia, saying, “Let him go.”

Gershkovich, who is an American citizen, was charged with attempting to obtain sensitive information by Russia’s Federal Security Service. Since the end of the Cold War, no journalist from the United States has been arrested in Russia on suspicion of spying. The Journal has “vehemently denied” the accusations.

Vice President Kamala Harris spoke at a press conference in Lusaka, Zambia, expressing concern about Gershkovich’s arrest, saying that the government is “deeply concerned.”

The Biden administration announced Thursday it is working to ensure that Gershkovich has access to the American consulate in Russia. When asked about expelling Russian officials or journalists working in the United States, Biden replied that “That’s not the plan right now.”

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre referred to the targeting of American citizens in Russia as “unacceptable” and denounced the detention of Gershkovich “in the strongest terms.”

The Biden administration has issued a travel advisory for Americans, advising them to leave Russia immediately.

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