“I let it go!” In a brief statement on the arrest of Evan Gershkovich, this was Biden’s call to Russia. For now, the president rules out the expulsion of Russian diplomats or journalists.
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Leaving the White House on Friday morning, the US president called on Russia to release the Wall Street Journal correspondent who was detained on suspicion of espionage. “Let him go,” the US president told CNN International.
These are the first statements by the US leader on the case of Evan Gershkovich, arrested this Thursday by the Russian security services (FSB). Asked if the United States is considering responding to Russia by expelling Russian diplomats or journalists from the country, Biden said it is not in the plans for now.
Wall Street Journal correspondent detained in Russia on suspicion of espionage. Newspaper denies accusations
Wall Street Journal correspondent arrested when he was allegedly trying to “obtain secret information” at the “request of the United States”. The Russian justice determined, however, that Gershkovich will be detained for at least two months, until May 29.
The Wall Street Journal He “vehemently” denied the allegations. that fall on the newspaper’s correspondent in Moscow, showing “deep concern” for the journalist’s safety.
In response to the arrest, the heads of 38 international media outlets – in addition to the Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, the New York Times and the Washington Post – signed a letter to the Russian ambassador to the US, calling for Gershkovich’s release.” . Russia is sending the message that journalism across its borders is criminalized and that foreign correspondents seeking to report from Russia do not enjoy the benefits of the rule of law,” the document says.
Source: Observadora