Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich released from Russian prison
Espionage charges dropped after nearly 15 months in custody
Evan Gershkovich, a Wall Street Journal reporter who has been held in a Russian prison for nearly 15 months on espionage charges, has been released, the newspaper reported Thursday.
Gershkovich's release was secured after negotiations between the U.S. and Russian governments, the Journal reported. He is expected to return to the U.S. in the coming days.
Gershkovich, 32, was arrested in June 2021 while on assignment in Moscow. He was accused of passing classified information to the U.S. government, which he has denied.
Gershkovich's detention has been widely condemned by the U.S. government and human rights groups. The Biden administration has repeatedly called for his release, and President Biden has personally raised the issue with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Gershkovich's release is a major victory for the Biden administration and a relief to his family and friends. It is also a sign that the U.S. and Russia are willing to work together on issues of mutual interest, despite their ongoing tensions.
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