After nearly 500 days of wrongful imprisonment in Russia, Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and Marine veteran Paul Whelan have been released as part of a major prisoner swap. The journalism community and U.S. government celebrated their return home, highlighting the dangers faced by reporters in authoritarian regimes.
The journalism community erupted in joy as news spread that Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich had been released from Russian custody after nearly 500 days of wrongful imprisonment. The 32-year-old reporter had been accused of espionage while on assignment in the Ural Mountains city of Yekaterinburg. The Biden administration declared him "wrongfully detained," and The Wall Street Journal and the U.S. government vehemently denied the charges.
Freedom for Gershkovich and Whelan: Wall Street Journal Reporter and Marine Veteran Freed
Gershkovich's release came as part of a massive swap of political prisoners and journalists involving the United States and Germany. Marine veteran Paul Whelan was also freed as part of the deal.
"Evan is free and on his way home," Dow Jones CEO Almar Latour and Wall Street Journal Editor-in-Chief Emma Tucker said in a joint statement.
Freedom for Gershkovich and Whelan: Wall Street Journal Reporter and Marine Veteran Freed
Friends, family, and colleagues had tirelessly worked to keep Gershkovich's name at the forefront, sharing #FreeEvan hashtags on social media. Upon hearing the news of his release, WSJ deputy managing editor Jessica Toonkel said staffers were "popping champagne in the newsroom."
"We are overjoyed to hear the news that Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich has been released from prison in Russia and is on his way to be reunited with his family," National Press Club president Emily Wilkins said.
Freedom for Gershkovich and Whelan: Wall Street Journal Reporter and Marine Veteran Freed
Fox News' Benjamin Hall, who was himself targeted by Russia while reporting in Ukraine, called it an "amazing day" for Gershkovich and Whelan.
"This was hostage diplomacy, these were innocent Americans taken off the streets of Russia to be held by Putin so he could get something back in return from the U.S.," Hall said.
"I feel very personally, in a sense, for Evan as well, this is another journalist, who like myself, was targeted by Russia. And on that one moment, that one day, when you are going home, is a remarkable day," Hall continued.
Gershkovich's arrest in March 2022 sent a chilling message to Western journalists reporting in Russia, already wary of Vladimir Putin's authoritarian regime.
"We are hugely relieved by reports that Evan Gershkovich’s 16-month-long ordeal should finally be coming to an end. We are anxiously waiting for news of his safe return to the United States, but emphasize that he never should have spent a single day in a Russian prison for doing his job as a journalist," a Reporters Without Borders spokesperson said.
The Wall Street Journal and the Biden administration repeatedly condemned the "sham conviction" and demanded Gershkovich's immediate release.
Bloomberg journalist Conor Sen noted the tireless efforts to keep Gershkovich's plight in the spotlight.
"It was really admirable how the WSJ and its reporters, through articles and Twitter avatar changes, kept Evan front-of-mind for the past 17 months," Sen wrote.
The release of Gershkovich and Whelan was a significant diplomatic achievement, showcasing the importance of cooperation and the unwavering commitment to protecting journalists and citizens wrongfully detained abroad.
