Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich recounts in an excerpt of his new book about his arrest in Russia.
Gershkovich writes, “My mouth went dry. I knew it was pointless, but words began pouring out of me in a hoarse whisper. I explained that I was working on a story about Russia’s military production, that in my passport they could find a laminated card—accreditation from the Russian foreign ministry proving I was a journalist and allowing me, an American citizen, to report in the country.
“The corners of the man’s mouth curled into a smile. He cut me off. ‘What would your government think if our journalists were working on this kind of article in your country?’ he asked.
“The van slowed down. We were at our destination. ‘That’s it,’ the man said. ‘That was your last chance.’
“Now the agents were dragging me, still hooded, up stairs and through hallways, my head and chest bent forward, my shins banging against the stairs. Though disoriented, I knew from years of reporting what usually came next: electrodes attached to various parts of the body, the most sensitive parts targeted if the victim didn’t quickly sign a statement admitting to a crime, real or imaginary. A thought gripped me: I’d rather die than experience what they might do to me.”
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