The Russian Federal Security Service said March 30, 2023, that it had arrested Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, a U.S. citizen, on espionage charges in the city of Yekaterinburg. (AFP/Dimitar Dilkoff)

CPJ, media organizations, and partners call for release of Evan Gershkovich

New York, March 31, 2023—More than 30 global media organizations and press freedom groups recently sent a letter to Anatoly Antonov, the Russian ambassador to the United States, calling for the immediate release of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich.

The signatories, including the Associated Press, BBC, New York Times, and Wall Street Journal, said that Gershkovich’s “unwarranted and unjust arrest is a significant escalation in your government’s anti-press actions.”

The letter was coordinated by the Committee to Protect Journalists.

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CPJ is an independent, nonprofit organization that works to safeguard press freedom worldwide.

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