Current:Home > InvestSenators write letter of support to Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich-InfoLens
Senators write letter of support to Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich
View Date:2024-12-23 17:54:46
Washington — A bipartisan group of senators wrote a letter to Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, expressing their "profound anger and concern" over his detention in Russia.
"We hope this letter makes clear our support and solidarity on your behalf and our desire that you and fellow detainee Paul Whelan are immediately and unconditionally released," the group of 32 senators wrote, saying that the Russian government was using Gershkovich as a "political tool."
Gershkovich was arrested in March on accusations of spying, making him the first U.S. journalist to be arrested on espionage charges in Russia in decades. The U.S. and the Wall Street Journal have vehemently denied the allegations and have called for his immediate release.
Last month, a Russian court extended his detention for at least another three months.
"We believe that a free press is crucial to the foundation and support of human rights everywhere," the letter said. "We applaud you for your efforts to report the truth about Russia's reprehensible invasion of Ukraine, a conflict that has resulted in untellable atrocities, tragedies, and loss of life."
Democratic Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware and Republican Sen. James Risch of Idaho initiated the letter, which also said that every day that Gershkovich spends in a Russian prison "is a day too long."
"Since your arrest, we have advocated for your release publicly and privately. We will not stop until you are safely home," it said. "Please know that the support for you and Paul go well beyond the walls of the United States Senate, and that the American people are with us in demanding your release."
On Tuesday, the House unanimously passed a resolution calling on the Russian government to release Gershkovich. The resolution is not a binding law, but amplifies that the Biden administration has congressional support in securing Gershkovich's release.
"Vladimir Putin knows that a free press is a pillar of democracy, that a strong Fourth Estate will hold officials accountable," Republican Rep. Michael McCaul of Texas said Monday on the House floor. "So he arrested Evan with the intention of not only silencing him, but of scaring other journalists to remain silent, too."
McCaul said it "must be made clear that the use of American citizens as political pawns will not go unpunished."
The U.S. is also seeking the release of Whelan, who is serving a 16-year sentence on espionage charges, which the U.S. also denies.
The U.S. considers both men to be wrongfully detained, a rare designation that puts the full force of the U.S. government behind securing their release.
- In:
- Paul Whelan
- Evan Gershkovich
- United States Senate
- Russia
Caitlin Yilek is a politics reporter for CBS News Digital. Reach her at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter: https://twitter.com/hausofcait
TwitterveryGood! (13)
Related
- NFL Week 10 winners, losers: Cowboys' season can no longer be saved
- West Virginia House OKs bill doctors say would eliminate care for most at-risk transgender youth
- Lala Kent of 'Vanderpump Rules' is using IUI to get pregnant. What is that?
- Cam Newton remains an All-Pro trash talker, only now on the 7-on-7 youth football circuit
- Crews battle 'rapid spread' conditions against Jennings Creek fire in Northeast
- USA is littered with nuclear sites that could face danger from natural disasters
- Watch '9-1-1' trailer: Somebody save Angela Bassett and Peter Krause
- North Carolina’s 5 open congressional seats drawing candidates in droves
- 'Heretic' spoilers! Hugh Grant spills on his horror villain's fears and fate
- What the data reveal about U.S. labor unrest
Ranking
- 2 striking teacher unions in Massachusetts face growing fines for refusing to return to classroom
- How genetically modified pigs could end the shortage of organs for transplants
- Washington state lawmakers consider police pursuit and parents’ rights initiatives
- New York AG says meat producing giant made misleading environmental claims to boost sales
- Family of security guard shot and killed at Portland, Oregon, hospital sues facility for $35M
- We owe it to our moms: See who our Women of the Year look to for inspiration
- Pregnant Sofia Richie Candidly Shares She's Afraid of Getting Stretch Marks
- Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba banned for four years for doping
Recommendation
-
When do new 'Yellowstone' episodes come out? Here's the Season 5, Part 2 episode schedule
-
Becky G performing Oscar-nominated song The Fire Inside from Flamin' Hot at 2024 Academy Awards
-
Wife of ex-Red Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield dies of cancer, less than 5 months after husband
-
North Carolina’s 5 open congressional seats drawing candidates in droves
-
Republican David Schweikert wins reelection in affluent Arizona congressional district
-
Hattie McDaniel’s Oscar, Biden’s big win and more historic moments that happened on a Leap Day
-
Jimmy Butler goes emo country in Fall Out Boy's 'So Much (For) Stardust' video
-
James Beard Foundation honors 'beloved' local restaurants with America's Classics: See who won