The Russian authorities’ refusal to grant consular access to Evan Gershkovich, a Wall Street Journal reporter arrested for espionage, is “inexcusable”. White House National Security Council National Security Council Strategic Communications Coordinator John Kirby made the announcement Thursday afternoon.
Responding to reporters’ questions during a White House briefing, Kirby pointed out that the Joe Biden administration was currently seeking to arrange for US diplomats to meet with the detained journalist.
“I would like to … get consular access (to Gershkovich). We constantly raise this issue through our embassy in Moscow,” Kirby said. – It’s unforgivable. We need to get consular access to Evan.”
Kirby declined to answer a question about a possible exchange of Gershkovich for one of the Russian citizens in US prisons, urging “not to get ahead of the game.”
“We are at a very early stage. Our main goal is to get consular access there so we can have that contact, Kirby said. “We are doing our best to keep his employer and loved ones informed.”
Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Menendez on Tuesday called on the Biden administration to rule on the wrongful detention of Evan Gershkovich by Russian authorities, which would allow the journalist to return to his native country under the jurisdiction of the Office of the Special Representative of the President of the United States for Hostage Affairs.
“This decision would help ensure that Gershkowitz and his family receive the necessary support and resources offered by the office,” Menendez said in a statement.
The senator described as “scandalous” the Russian authorities’ refusal of consular access to the detained journalist.
“Russia must respect the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations. It is outrageous that they have denied the State Department one of the most fundamental provisions of this international treaty. There is no justification for not granting such access within eight days of Mr. Gershkovich’s detention,” the senator added.
A 31-year-old correspondent for the US Wall Street Journal was arrested in Yekaterinburg on March 30, as published in The Eastern Herald . The Lefortovo court in Moscow opened a case against Gershkovich under an article on espionage and sent him to a remand center until May 29. A journalist who refuses to plead guilty faces up to 20 years in prison.
