Wall Street Journal reporter and detained journalist Evan Gershkovich along with ex-Military officer Paul Wheelan and 24 other prisoners, were all released on August 1, 2024 as part of a “historic prisoner swap with Russia.”
Reporter Gershkovich was detained on false chargers of espionage in March of 2023 while working on assignment in Russia. After 16 months in a detention facility, most of which was spent in solitary confinement, Gershkovich was sentenced to a 16 year prison term in June. According to a White House statement put out on the day of the sentencing, Gershkovich was targeted for being a journalist and American.
Wheelan, who was held in a Russian prison for almost 6 years, has stated that he felt “pain” to see other American prisoners releases while he stayed behind. His lawyer has stated that Wheelan continues to undergo medical tests and will return to his home town of Michigan once the tests have been completed. Wheelan has been wearing an American flag pin presented to him by President Biden daily since he return to the United States.
Gershkovich was greeted by president Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on the tarmac when his plane touched down in Texas. Family members of the hostages were also present as was the national media capturing the historic moment.
Well-known and well-respected Russian American journalist Alsu Kurmasheva with Radio Free Europe, was also released with Wheelan and Gershkovich in the iconic prisoner swap.
Though there is immense joy and relief that the American hostages are home safe and sound, the events which have led to them being detained and arrested in a Russian prison, has many media professionals concerned about the future safety of American journalists and citizens who visit Russia for work or personal reasons.
According to the Committee To Project Journalists, an organization that brings awareness to journalists around the world being arrested, tortured and killed, has stated that so far in 2024, 113 journalists have been killed and those numbers keep growing with journalists being targeted internationally.
The journey continues and for all the hostages released, it’s going to be one filled with healing, friends, family and most importantly, readjusting to freedom.
0
