Russia admits talks are underway to bring back imprisoned Wall Street Journal reporter Ivan Gershkovitch According to former acting hostage affairs envoy Hugh Duggan, whatever events have taken place at home – even if they must be done “with total silence” – they are a step in the right direction.
Gershkovitch, the American-born son of Soviet immigrants, spent nearly 15 months in custody at Moscow’s notorious Lefortovo prison on suspected espionage charges.
Dugan, who served as the special presidential envoy for hostage affairs under former President Trump, believes that Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov’s quoting of recent comments made by Russian President Vladimir Putin about a potential prisoner swap involving Gershkovich is a positive development in this sad saga.
“That shows they’re focused on it, or at least conscious of it … it’s on their minds. There have been some hostage cases where the other side says, ‘We don’t know what you’re talking about,’ or ‘That’s not up for discussion,'” Dugan said. Fox News Digital,
“They are speaking up and saying something, so there is a pulse,” he added. “To get from A to B, you need to take a step, and it will be a step that will be fundamental towards a solution.”
“Ivan Gershkovitch has been subjected to false and unfounded allegations,” The Wall Street Journal quoted the paper as saying. (Natalia Kolesnikova/AFP via Getty Images)
Dugan said Peskov’s admission that Gershkovich has been detained and that a process is underway is better than nothing. He is also glad that the Kremlin did not shift responsibility to the court system; an easy way for Peskov to avoid the topic would have been to simply note that the beloved American reporter still has to face trial.
“I want to remind you again of the president’s conversations with the heads of information agencies in St. Petersburg – they confirmed that there are such contacts,” Peskov said on Monday. Reuters,
“All this goes on, but it must continue in absolute silence,” Peskov added. “Therefore, no announcements, statements or information can be made on this matter.”
Dugan said the Kremlin’s call to exercise prudence “should not come as a surprise” and urged the US to do the same.
“I understand that requests for confidentiality in conversations should be respected,” Dugan said, adding that you never know what small thing will turn a conversation “toxic.”
“I think it’s sensible to maintain confidentiality in these kinds of negotiations. If a party is willing to negotiate and he says that’s one of his terms, then that should be accepted to some extent,” he added. “We all have our terms, sometimes they’re mutual, and over time it has shown that confidentiality is usually a part of a successful resolution.”
Wall Street Journal reporter Ivan Gershkovitch has been detained by Russia for more than a year on suspected espionage charges. (Natalia Kolesnikova/AFP via Getty Images)
The Wall Street Journal did not comment on Peskov’s remarks but instead pointed to a statement released to Fox News Digital last week, when Gershkovitch was ordered to face trial and was accused of “collecting secret information” for the CIA about a facility that produced and repaired military equipment.
“Ivan Gershkovitch has been falsely and baselessly accused. This latest step by Russia toward a sham trial, while expected, is extremely disappointing and nothing short of outrageous. Ivan has wrongly spent 441 days in a Russian prison simply for doing his job. Ivan is a journalist. The Russian regime’s accusations against Ivan are disgusting, vile, and based on a calculated and transparent lie,” Dow Jones CEO Alamar Latour and Wall Street Journal editor-in-chief Emma Tucker said in a joint statement.
“Journalism is not a crime. Ivan’s case is an attack on the free press,” the two added. “We will continue to demand his immediate release. We hoped to avoid this situation and now we expect the US government to redouble its efforts to secure Ivan’s release.”
The 32-year old player Detained in Russia Since March 29, 2023, on previously vague espionage charges that the US government and The Wall Street Journal have described as absurd. The US has declared him wrongfully detained and has repeatedly demanded his immediate release.
While Gershkovic’s employer denounced the decision, Dugan said the conclusion of the trial could be another important step in the mission to bring her back home.
“One of the very good things is that this will begin the process that will move their case toward a decision,” Dugan said, adding that no one knows if that will take weeks, months or years.
Dugan believes the ruling will not be “positive” for the American journalist, but having some formalities on paper could be important. WNBA star Brittney Grinerwho was freed from a Russian penal colony in 2022 as a prisoner in exchange for convicted Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, was not sent home until he had served a nine-year sentence after being convicted.
“They may need a decision to initiate the deal,” Dugan said.
Wall Street Journal reporter Ivan Gershkovitch dies at 32, wrongly detained by Russia
Ivan Gershkovitch, the American-born son of Soviet immigrants, was allowed by Russia’s Foreign Ministry to continue reporting in the country at the time of his arrest. (Photo: Natalia Kolesnikova / AFP)
He said there were several reasons for this, including because Putin wants Russia’s court process to be respected and because people outside the country should think there is “some logic” behind the move. It would also let the world know Gershkovitch’s fate if she remained in Russia, which holds a significant value for him during negotiations.
“The fact that it’s moving toward a decision … should be viewed as some sort of momentum,” Dugan said.
Gershkovich will be tried in the city of Yekaterinburg, where he was arrested last year During a reporting trip, He remained in the position even though he has been accredited by Russia’s Foreign Ministry to report in the country.
The start date of the charges is unclear, and if convicted he could face up to 20 years in prison. US Ambassador to Russia Lynne Tracy described the charges against him as “fictitious.”
Dugan wants Americans to know that, despite the potential transaction being presented as a “prisoner swap,” Gershkovic is not a prisoner.
“The Russian prisoners who have been convicted in the United States … they are in custody, they are real prisoners. They have not been given a verdict. They are not prisoners. Under their system, yes … they are in custody. In most places in the world, you are considered guilty until proven innocent, which is a great lesson for all of us that we should always remember,” Dugan said.
He added, “We are innocent until proven guilty. He is an innocent man.”
The Wall Street Journal has organized numerous events to keep Gershkovitch in the public eye, including races, social media discussions, read-a-thons, a recent BBQ, and many other efforts. Friends, family, and fans have been able to exchange letters with her, though they are vetted by Russian authorities.
Last year, Gershkovic was featured and mentioned on the cover of Time magazine. President Biden’s State of the Union AddressBiden personally appealed repeatedly for Gershkovitch’s release, but to no avail, and the journalist continually lost her appeals to end her pretrial detention.
Anyone interested in learning more about Gershkovitch can visit WSJ.com/evan And FreeGershkovich.com,
Fox News Digital’s David Rutz contributed to this report.
