AFP and Reuters

The newspaper La Jornada
Saturday, July 20, 2024, p. 22

Washington. President Joe Biden said yesterday that he is pressing hard to secure the release of American journalist Evan Gershkovich, after it became known that the Russian justice system had sentenced him to 16 years in prison for espionage.

We are lobbying intensely for Evan’s release and will continue to do so.Biden said in a statement, adding that the correspondent for The Wall Street Journal has not committed any crime and it is a white from Moscow simply for being a reporter and an American citizen.

For its part, the United Nations Organization (UN) stated that this case raises serious concerns in terms of freedom of expression.

Journalists should be able to carry out their essential professional functions in a safe environment and without fear of reprisal, in line with Russia’s international human rights obligations.said Farhan Haq, deputy spokesman for the UN.

We call for the release of all journalists in Russia detained solely for doing their jobHaq added.