Six Months In Russian Jail On Spying Charges

Wall Street Journal Reporter Evan Gershkovich Remains Defiant

Six Months in Russian Jail on Spying Charges

Parents Receive First Letter

Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich remains defiant six months after he was detained in Russia on spying charges which he and the Journal deny. "Evan is not a spy," his parents, Ella and Mikhail Gershkovich, said in a statement. "He is a journalist who was doing his job." Gershkovich's parents said they have continued to write their son letters and receive updates on him from Lynne Tracy, the U.S. ambassador to Russia. "We are grateful for her support and for the support of all those who have spoken out on Evan's behalf," they said.

On Friday, the Gershkovich family received a handwritten letter from Evan, the first direct contact with them since his detention. "He is in good spirits and is looking forward to coming home," his parents said. "We are so relieved to have heard from him and to know that he is okay."

Gershkovich was arrested on March 28 while reporting on the war in Ukraine. He was charged with espionage, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. The Russian government has not provided any evidence to support the charges.

The U.S. government has called for Gershkovich's immediate release. "We are deeply concerned about the arbitrary detention of Evan Gershkovich," U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement. "We urge the Russian government to release him immediately and unconditionally."