Journalists worldwide unite with Evan Gershkovich [Video]
March marks a year since American journalist Evan Gershkovich was detained in Russia on charges of espionage while doing his job as a journalist.
JOURNALISTS from various corners of the globe converged this past weekend in a poignant display of solidarity and support for Evan Gershkovich, the intrepid reporter who remains unjustly detained in Russia.
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Gershkovich, a Wall Street Journal journalist known for his unwavering dedication to uncovering the truth, was wrongfully detained in March 2023, while on assignment in Russia. He possessed complete press credentials issued by Russia’s foreign ministry. Accused of espionage, he became the first American detained on such charges since the Cold War era.
Despite relentless efforts and campaigns advocating for his release, he continues to languish behind bars, separated from his loved ones and the profession to which he dedicated his life. On January 26, a Russian court had extended his pre-trial detention by an additional two months. The date for the trial remains uncertain.
It has been 44 weeks since Gershkovich was arrested, and journalists gathered at Brighton Beaches in cities across the globe, a symbolic gesture chosen to honour Gershkovich’s deep affection for Brighton Beach. According to Alistair MacDonald, Wall Street Journal journalist Gershkovich moved to London in February 2022 and he made frequent trips to the original Brighton Beach to visit his friend, Jago Leckie.
“When Evan was living in the UK, he used to love coming down to Brighton and walking along the seafront,” said Leckie.
From New York to Australia, from South Africa to Canada, the sound of crashing waves served as a backdrop to their unified message of free press and freedom of expression.
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