State Department: WSJ’s Gershkovich “wrongfully detained”

The State Department on Monday designated as “wrongfully detained” Evan Gershkovich, a Wall Street Journal reporter who was arrested by Russian security services last month, reports Vivian Salama of The Journal.

Salama writes, “Mr. Gershkovich’s case now shifts to a State Department section, known as the Office of the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs, which is focused on negotiating for the release of hostages and other Americans classified as wrongfully detained in foreign countries.

“Officials said the speed at which the designation was reached was unprecedented, as it involves a lengthy bureaucratic process that typically takes months. The designation seldom comes before the detainee is able to meet with American consular officials from the local embassy, a right Mr. Gershkovich has so far been denied.

“Lawyers representing Mr. Gershkovich on behalf of the Journal recently reported that Mr. Gershkovich was in good health and grateful for the outpouring of support from around the world, Emma Tucker, editor in chief of the Journal, said.”

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Chris Roush

Chris Roush was the dean of the School of Communications at Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Connecticut. He was previously Walter E. Hussman Sr. Distinguished Professor in business journalism at UNC-Chapel Hill. He is a former business journalist for Bloomberg News, Businessweek, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, The Tampa Tribune and the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. He is the author of the leading business reporting textbook "Show me the Money: Writing Business and Economics Stories for Mass Communication" and "Thinking Things Over," a biography of former Wall Street Journal editor Vermont Royster.