WSJ marks one year of journalist’s detention in Russia with blank front page

To mark the anniversary of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich’s detention in Russia, the Wall Street Journal published a front-page tribute with a conspicuous blank space and an image of Gershkovich alongside the headline “His Story Should be Here.”

Here is an early look at the front page of a special section wrapping today’s Wall Street Journal https://t.co/kTxN0a0m6N pic.twitter.com/X8C54alCiH

— The Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) March 29, 2024

Gershkovich, who was apprehended during a reporting trip to Yekaterinburg, was accused of gathering state secrets on behalf of the US without providing evidence as per the russian authorities. The US government regards his detention as wrongful, considering him a political hostage.

President Joe Biden on Friday reaffirmed the US commitment to securing Gershkovich’s release. Biden condemned the detention, asserting that journalism is not a crime and highlighting Gershkovich’s efforts to uncover truth amid Russia’s aggression towards Ukraine.

“Journalism is not a crime, and Evan went to Russia to do his job as a reporter — risking his safety to shine the light of truth on Russia’s brutal aggression against Ukraine,” Biden said in a statement on Friday.

Recent developments in Gershkovich’s case remain scarce, with a court extending his detention until at least June 30, marking the fifth extension.

In response, Biden reiterated the ongoing efforts to secure Gershkovich’s release and condemned Russia’s attempts to use Americans as “bargaining chips”.

Gershkovich’s family expressed their shock and dismay at the situation, stating,”We never anticipated this situation happening to our son and brother, let alone a full year with no certainty or clear path forward” in a letter to the readers of the Wall Street Journal.

They described the past year as “unimaginable,” likening it to “holding our breath” and experiencing a constant ache in their hearts while thinking about Evan every moment of every day.

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