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Evan Gershkovich (32), Russia correspondent for the American business newspaper Wall Street Journal, has been in Moscow’s Lefortovo prison for several days. He is charged with “espionage in the interests of the United States government”. “The foreigner was arrested in Yekaterinburg while trying to obtain classified information,” Russia’s FSB secret service said Thursday. The Wall Street Journal confirmed the arrest.
On Sunday evening there was a kind of first sign of life from the American journalist: Alexei Melnikov, a member of the Moscow Commission for Public Surveillance, which oversees the treatment of prisoners, paid a visit to the reporter. He shared his impression of Gershkovich’s condition on Telegram, giving a glimpse of life behind bars in the process. The main finding of the visit: “At the time of the visit, he was in a good mood and joked a lot during the conversation.”
«Semolina porridge for breakfast»
Gershkovich was medically examined and tested for illnesses. He also got the chance to talk to a psychologist.
According to Melnikov, Gershkovich’s cell is equipped with a TV, a radio and a refrigerator. The room temperature is in the normal range. If necessary, the cell can be independently ventilated at any time. Daily walks are offered.
Melnikov also provides information about meals in the Russian prison. They meet current standards. “Yesterday, for example, we ate cabbage soup, potatoes and chicken for lunch and porridge for breakfast,” he says.
So far, there are no complaints about Gershkovich’s condition. He even gets envelopes, paper and pen to write letters.
Evan Gershkovich visits the prison library
“Evan was dressed in light-colored jeans, a sweater and a checkered shirt and was given underwear, socks, slippers, shoes, towels, soap and a toothbrush when he was taken to the detention center,” the officer continued.
The journalist had time to visit the prison library and is currently reading “Life and Destiny” by Vasily Grossman. Der Spiegel magazine described the book as “the war and peace of the Stalin-Hitler era”.
Politically motivated arrest
Melnikov’s statements cannot be independently verified. Before his arrest, Gershkovich had tried to write a report on the attitude of the population towards the recruitment efforts of Wagner’s private army. Gershkovich’s arrest is probably one thing above all: politically motivated.
Americans are repeatedly suspected of espionage in Russia. This is probably the first case of a journalist officially accredited to the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In the aftermath of the war in Ukraine, Russia has recently tightened its stance against Western journalists. The Russian opposition spoke of a “hostage situation”.
“Putin is ready to use any method to put pressure on the West,” the team of captured Kremlin opponent Alexei Navalny, 46, said. In the past, Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin (70) repeatedly released Russian criminals imprisoned in the United States through an exchange with Americans convicted in Moscow.
Source: Blick
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
