PRESIDENT Joe Biden has said Evan Gershkovich’s brutal ordeal is over after the Wall Street Journal reporter was finally freed from a Russian prison.
Evan, who was wrongfully detained in Russia’s penal system for 491 days, was accused of espionage by Vladimir Putin‘s corrupt regime and faced a daunting 16-year prison sentence.
Innocent reporter Evan Gershkovich was freed from a Russian prison after 491 daysAP Photo
AFPPresident Biden was joined by the Gershkovich family and families of other freed prisoners during a press conference on Thursday[/caption]
TwitterEvan, journalist Alsu Kurmasheava (middle), and ex-US Marine Paul Whelan, holding up the American flag in Ankara, Turkey, after being freed[/caption]
APEvan was wrongly accused of espionage by Vladimir Putin’s corrupt regime[/caption]
The Gershkovich family joined President Biden at the White House as he delivered remarks about the freed detainees in Russia.
Biden said he briefly spoke to the detainees and told them, “Welcome almost home.”
A photo shared by Wall Street Journal correspondent Yaroslav Trofimov showed newly freed Evan, ex-US Marine Paul Whelan, and journalist Alsu Kurmasheava holding up the American flag in Ankara, Turkey.
“They’re out of Russia. Earlier today, they were flown to Turkey, and soon they will be wheels up on their way home to see their families,” Biden said.
“Now, their brutal ordeal is over, and they’re free.
“Moments ago, families and I were able to speak to them on the telephone from the Oval Office.
Biden confirmed he did not speak with Putin about the prison swap, which he justified as bringing “home innocent people.”
The president met Evan’s family, including his parents, Ella and Mikhail, and sister, Danielle, at the White House at around 10:30 am on Thursday, according to the Wall Street Journal.
News Corp, the parent company of the Wall Street Journal, has also emphatically called for Evan’s release since he was first jailed last year.
‘RELENTLESS EFFORT’
Biden praised allies Germany, Poland, Slovenia, Norway, and Turkey for assisting in the prisoners’ release.
“They all stepped up, and they stood with us,” the president said.
“They made bold and brave decision, released prisoners being held in their counties who were justifiably being held, and provided logistical support to get the Americans home.”
Biden said his administration worked “relentlessly” to free the imprisoned Americans.
“Deals like this one come with tough calls. There are never any guarantees,” he added.
“There’s nothing that matters more to me than protecting Americans at home and abroad, and so we’ll continue to work for the release of all wrongfully detained Americans around the world.”
EVAN FINALLY FREED
Evan, 32, was arrested in the city of Yekaterinburg on March 29, 2023, while on assignment for the Wall Street Journal.
The journalist and the Wall Street Journal consistently denied the allegations against him.
However, a sham trial on July 19 wrongfully convicted Evan of collecting “secret information” for the CIA.
He was handed a 16-year prison sentence.
But, on Thursday, Evan was released after 491 days inside the horrific Russian penal system – the same network of politically charged jails that killed Putin rival, Alexei Navalny.
A Russian government plane was seen landing at Ankara Airport in Turkey on Thursday, where Evan was one of dozens of political prisoners released.
The swap involved 23 other prisoners in Russian jails, including former US Marine Paul Whelan and British-Russian journalist Vladimir Kara-Murza.
APBiden vowed to continue to work to free all wrongfully detained Americans around the world[/caption]
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