Biden blasts Russia’s sentence for journalist Gershkovich, says he is pushing for release

President Biden is condemning a Russian court for convicting Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and sentencing him to 16 years in prison “despite having committed no crime.”

Mr. Biden said Mr. Gershkovich was targeted by Moscow simply because he was an American journalist documenting the situation in Russia after President Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine.

“There is no question that Russia is wrongfully detaining Evan. Journalism is not a crime,” Mr. Biden said Friday. “We will continue to stand strong for press freedom in Russia and worldwide, and stand against all those who seek to attack the press or target journalists.”

Mr. Biden said he is “pushing hard” for Mr. Gershkovich’s release alongside other detained Americans, including former Marine Paul Whelan.

Mr. Gershkovich, a 32-year-old American, was arrested in Yekaterinburg in March 2023 and accused of spying on Russian operations for the CIA.

The charges are widely seen as a bogus attempt by Mr. Putin to use Mr. Gerhskovich as a bargaining chip. In the past, Russia has swapped American prisoners for Russian ones.

Mr. Biden said he is keeping Mr. Gershkovich in his prayers and “will not cease in our efforts to bring him home.”