The White House today (Thursday) called on American citizens to leave Russia, following news that Russia had detained an American journalist, who had criticized Russian measures against the media.
"We have contacted the family of the American journalist and the Russian government," White House spokeswoman Karen Jean-Pierre said, calling on American citizens to leave Russia immediately.
In turn, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken expressed his country's concern over the news of Russia's detention of an American journalist working for the Wall Street Journal, saying: "We are in contact with the Wall Street Journal about this situation, when an American citizen is detained abroad, we immediately seek access." To the consulate, we seek to provide all appropriate support. In the strongest possible terms, we condemn the Kremlin's continued attempts to intimidate, suppress, and punish journalists and civil society voices. The State Department's highest priority is the safety and security of United States citizens abroad.
"We reiterate our strong warnings about the danger to US citizens within the Russian Federation. US citizens residing in Russia or traveling to Russia should leave immediately, as described in the Special Travel Advisory for Russia."
The Lefortovo Court, east of the Russian capital, Moscow, issued an arrest warrant against American journalist Ivan Gershkovich, correspondent of the Wall Street Journal, on charges of espionage.
The source said that the court approved the investigation request and chose a preventive measure by temporary detention until May 29, and a trial session was held behind closed doors, and after the session was adjourned due to false news about “mining” the courtroom, while Gershkovitch denied the charges against him during a hearing in a Moscow court. , according to the Russian news agency TASS.
The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) announced the arrest of Ivan Gershkovich.
In the same context, a spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, announced that her country would allow the United States consular access to the Wall Street Journal reporter being held in custody, saying: “The American side requested, through diplomatic channels, consular access for the American citizen Ivan Gershkovitch, who was arrested in Yekaterinburg on charges of Espionage,” adding: “Consular access will be granted to him at the appropriate time.”
Okaz (Jeddah) @okaz_online
