WASHINGTON: The US is strongly condemning the detention of its journalist by the Russian force. On Sunday, the US SECRETARY OF State Antony Blinken urged his Russian counterpart to immediately release a Wall Street Journal reporter. The State Department described the detention of Gershkovich as unacceptable.
More than 30 news organizations and press freedom advocates have written the Russian ambassador in the United States to express concern Russia is sending the message that reporting inside the country is criminalized.
In a telephone call with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Blinken conveyed “grave concern” over the Kremlin’s detention of its journalist on allegations of espionage, according to a State Department summary of the call. He also sought the immediate release of Paul Whelan, who holds U.S., British, Irish, and Canadian citizenship. Whelan has been wrongfully detained since December 2018 on espionage charges.
Blinken and Lavrov also discussed “the importance of creating an environment that permits diplomatic missions to carry out their work,” according to the State Department.
It is for the first time since the Cold War, a US correspondent has been held on spying accusations.
Shortly after detention, the US individuals on Thursday living or traveling in Russia were also told to “please leave immediately” in view of security reasons.