One hundred days have passed since Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich was unjustly imprisoned in Russia, and his family has broken their silence. In an emotional interview, his parents, Mikhail Gershkovich and Ella Millman, expressed their reliance on President Biden's commitment to secure their son's release. "We're putting our faith in President Biden and his team's expertise," Millman stated. "Bringing our American son home requires a collective effort."
Gershkovich was apprehended on March 29th in Yekaterinburg, Russia's fourth-largest city, under accusations of espionage. Both the U.S. government and the Wall Street Journal vehemently deny these charges, deeming them baseless and a blatant attack on press freedom. They have persistently demanded his immediate release.
Maintaining contact with their son has been challenging, limited to letter writing. Millman shared a poignant detail, revealing that she tells Evan in her letters that he is now her captive, obligated to read the stories she used to tell him when he was younger. She added that Evan encourages her writing, but he's undeniably missing out on significant events, both professionally and personally, including covering major news stories and following his favorite sports teams.
A recent court appearance in Moscow offered a brief but precious reunion for Gershkovich's parents. They were unexpectedly granted a short conversation with their son through a glass barrier, a moment that brought immense joy and relief. "It was an overwhelming feeling of happiness," Millman expressed. "We shared smiles and laughter. Seeing him was everything."
While a guard quickly ended their interaction, Mikhail Gershkovich found solace in the physical proximity to his son. "Being near him, even briefly, made the situation a bit more tolerable," he commented. "Evan appeared to be in good health and spirits, smiling and happy to see us."
Less than two weeks after his detention, the U.S. officially classified Gershkovich as "wrongfully detained," signifying his status as a political prisoner. President Biden, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and the U.S. House of Representatives have all publicly called for his immediate release. The Kremlin recently addressed the possibility of a prisoner exchange, following a visit from the U.S. ambassador to Moscow.
The Wall Street Journal has launched a campaign urging supporters to share Gershkovich's work and updates on his case, using the hashtag #IStandWithEvan. They have also provided a platform for people to send messages of support to Evan and his family.
