Evan Gershkovich, a Wall Street Journal reporter, has been jailed in Russia for nearly a year. His parents, Ella Milman and Mikhail Gershkovich have been invited by House Speaker Mike Johnson (R., La.) to President Biden’s State of the Union speech on Thursday. Their attendance at the event is to raise awareness about their son’s wrongful detention.
Gershkovich, 32, was imprisoned on espionage accusations in March last year while on a work assignment in Yekaterinburg. He is a United States citizen. The Federal Security Services accused him of spying for the United States, which he, his legal team, and the US government all strenuously rejected.
In response to Gershkovich’s detention, Johnson condemned the violation of journalistic ethics, particularly in countries such as Russia. He emphasized the importance of the United States pushing for worldwide press freedom and encouraged the administration to prioritize Gershkovich’s release.
Who Are Ella Milman and Mikhail Gershkovich?
In a statement, Gershkovich’s parents, Ella and Mikhail, thanked the president for his ongoing efforts to bring their son back. They welcomed the opportunity to bring attention to their son’s unfair confinement and hope to be reunited with him soon.
Despite being declared as unjust by the US government, Gershkovich remains in detention, and numerous entities such as news organizations, press freedom campaigners, and human rights activists are all lobbying for his immediate release. Regardless of bipartisan support, a Russian court recently upheld his pretrial detention.
While President Putin’s recent words may indicate a prisoner exchange, no precise date has been agreed upon, providing little hope. Evan Gershkovich’s participation in the State of the Union speech will represent the continuous fight for journalistic freedom and, most importantly, justice for their son.