Wall Street Journal Reporter Evan Gershkovich Freed by Russia

Breaking News

**Moscow, Russia** - Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich has been released from prison in Russia after being detained for over a year on espionage charges. The release comes after months of negotiations between the U.S. and Russian governments.

Background

Gershkovich was detained in Russia in August 2023 while reporting on Russian military activity. He was charged with espionage and sentenced to 16 years in prison in January 2024. The Russian government alleged that Gershkovich had gathered classified information and passed it to Western intelligence agencies.

The U.S. government has repeatedly denied the allegations and called for Gershkovich's release. President Biden has personally intervened in the case, raising it in discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Release

Gershkovich was released from prison on August 1, 2024, after a Russian court ruled that there was no evidence to support the espionage charges. The release was part of a larger prisoner exchange that also saw the release of several Russian prisoners held in the U.S.

Gershkovich is currently in the U.S. embassy in Moscow and is expected to return to the U.S. in the coming days.