Calls mount to bring home American journalist who was arrested in Russia

Just five months after the US brought home Brittney Griner from Russian detention, it’s facing another prisoner’s dilemma following the brazen arrest of American journalist Evan Gershkovich on espionage charges last week.

Outrage at Russia’s action grew over the weekend. In a rare phone call, Secretary of State Antony Blinken told Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov that Gershkovich’s detention was unacceptable and demanded Russia release him and another detained American, Paul Whelan.

Top editors at 38 news outlets (including the Wall Street Journal, where Gershkovich works) called for Gershkovich to be immediately released and accused Russia of “sending the message that journalism within your borders is criminalized.” The WSJ vehemently denies the allegations against its reporter.

Griner and her wife, Cherelle, also spoke up. In an Instagram post, they urged the White House “to use every tool possible to bring Evan and all wrongfully detained Americans home.”

Who is Gershkovich? A 31-year-old son of Soviet émigrés, he developed a deep interest in Russia and has been working there as a journalist since 2017. Gershkovich was also a talented soccer player: At his alma mater, Bowdoin College, he netted a penalty kick to win an NCAA tournament game.

Looking ahead…WSJ Editor-in-Chief Emma Tucker said on Face the Nation that she’s “optimistic” about making contact with Gershkovich this week.