Evan Gershkovich Discusses Detention Experience in Russia and Its Aftermath

Evan Gershkovich, a Wall Street Journal reporter who was held in Russia for over a year before a prisoner swap ended his ordeal in 2024, appeared on “Fox & Friends” to discuss his experience. He detailed his arrest and the events leading up to it in his new book, “This Cursed Beautiful Land.”

Gershkovich explained that he was investigating Russia’s shift towards a military-focused economy. During a meeting with a source presumed to be reliable, he was unexpectedly detained. “We had been in touch with the source for four years, but it was a setup,” Gershkovich recounted. He recalled the moment he realized the men detaining him were from the FSB, Russia’s federal security service, rather than local police. “When it’s the FSB, it’s a high-level planned operation,” he said.

During his detention, Gershkovich faced accusations of espionage. He was put in a van with a hood over his head and questioned repeatedly about his employment. When he confirmed he worked for the Wall Street Journal, security agents accused him of spying. “I was scared when I realized they genuinely thought I was an agent,” he shared.

The Biden administration classified Gershkovich’s detention as “wrongful.” Both the Wall Street Journal and the U.S. government firmly denied the espionage charges. His arrest was seen as an attempt to use him as a bargaining chip. After more than a year of delays, Gershkovich faced a closed trial and received a 16-year sentence at a penal colony. The Wall Street Journal denounced the conviction as a sham, continuously advocating for his release.

Brian Kilmeade from “Fox & Friends” asked about a particularly trying moment while Gershkovich was imprisoned. Gershkovich spoke of a potential exchange involving himself, fellow detainee Paul Whelan, and Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny. However, he learned of Navalny’s death while listening to the radio during a walk. “Hearing Navalny was killed made it seem hopeless,” Gershkovich admitted.

Despite the bleak circumstances, Gershkovich and Whelan were part of a significant prisoner exchange in August 2024, allowing them to return home. This complex swap involved multiple countries, illustrating the intricate negotiations behind such international dealings.