Evan Gershkovich's Family Endures Increasing Hardship 250 Days into Detention
American journalist Evan Gershkovich's family endures increasing pain and hardship as they anxiously await progress on his release from Russian detention after 250 days
American Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich has been held in Russia for 250 days. His family is finding the situation increasingly difficult as they wait for progress on his release, with his sister Danielle describing it as "painful" and "getting harder." "It's been almost eight months since he's been imprisoned, and he's missed out on so much. We dearly miss him, but we have to stay strong and keep fighting for Evan," Danielle Gershkovich told CNN Newsroom's Jim Sciutto.
Gershkovich was apprehended during a reporting assignment in the country in March. The FSB, Russia's principal security agency, alleged that he attempted to acquire classified information - an accusation that Gershkovich, his employer, and the US government have vehemently refuted. In the event of a conviction, he could potentially be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison.
After his arrest, the US State Department officially declared Gershkovich's detention in Russia as wrongful, asserting that "Journalism is not a crime." The department also condemned the Kremlin's suppression of independent voices and its ongoing attack on truth. More recently, a Moscow court extended his pre-trial detention for a third time, now until January 30.
The decision of the court deeply concerns the US Embassy in Moscow. Danielle Gershkovich and her family are able to communicate with Evan through letters while he is in prison and have been impressed by his strength despite being behind bars.
"He's truly extraordinary. I believe no one else could handle what he's going through," she said. "In his letters, he puts in a lot of effort to stay positive, and we have a lot of fun teasing each other and cracking jokes."
As the holidays near, they are urging Americans to pay tribute to Evan by leaving an empty seat at their meals.
During this time of year, many people are feeling the absence of their loved ones," she said. "It may be a lot to request, but we ask that people reserve a place for Evan at their holiday dinner table, as we did at Thanksgiving."
