Evan Gershkovich: Parents of journalist detained in Russia say they remain hopeful he will be released

The 32-year-old Wall St Journal reporter was arrested in March 2023 and later charged with espionage – making him the first American journalist charged with spying since the Cold War.

“We are holding up, we have no other choice,” Evan’s mother Ella Milman said.

“We need to fight for Evan”.

Evan’s father Mikhail said while they have been solely focused on their son, they have been buoyed by Ms Lei’s release after more than two years in a Chinese prison.

“Hope is something that we have to have,” Mr Gershkovich said.

He also spoke out against the increased risk reporters face simply for just doing their jobs and being used as political pawns.

“The normalisation of arresting journalists and using them in this game is absolutely horrible,” Mr Gershkovich said.

“Not only for journalism but for democracy and the world.”

Wall St Journal assistant editor Paul Beckett is now working full time on finding ways to bring Evan home.

“As a colleague Evan is viewed as one of the young star reporters at the Wall St Journal and we can’t wait for him to come back,” Mr Beckett said.

“This isn’t something that we’ve faced before. We haven’t had a situation like this before,” he said.

“There’s no sense that this will end in any other way than a conviction.

“It will be 250 days on December 4.

“They’re investigating espionage charges. It’s really bogus. There isn’t much to investigate.”

Dow Jones Legal Counsel Jay Conti said contact with the Australian Government over Evan’s detainment had been very limited but any help would be greatly welcomed.

“I think it is going to take democracies all over the world to stand up and talk about the importance of the free press,” Mr Beckett added.