WASHINGTON, Aug. 1, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- Following is a statement from Emily Wilkins, president of the National
Press Club on the news that Wall Street Journal Reporter
Evan Gershkovich has been released from prison in Russia.
"We are overjoyed to hear the news that Wall Street Journal
reporter Evan Gershkovich has been released from prison in
Russia and is on his way to
be reunited with his family.
"We cannot forget the horror and unjust behavior by the Russian
government who stole 16 months of Evan's life and work through
kidnapping him and putting him through a sham trail. But we choose
today to celebrate his freedom.
"Our thanks to the Wall Street Journal, which ran a remarkable
campaign for Evan's return, and especially to Editor
Paul Beckett - an outstanding
strategist and advocate for Evan throughout the long and often
bleak process
"Thank you to The Washington Post (especially Jason Rezaian), Bowden
College and the informal Friends of Evan who brought
strength and skill to the field and were solid partners.
"And our deepest thanks and our best wishes to Evan's family -
Ella, Mikheil and Danielle. We can only imagine their joy at having
their brother and son home as he begins to recover from his
ordeal.
"As part of its press freedom mission, the Club held about a
dozen events for Evan through the course of his time served --
including a 24-hour read-a-thon -- and issued dozens of
statements on every aspect of his case. In 2023, Evan was
named the Club's John Aubuchon
honoree – our highest honor in Press Freedom. Evan was always
close to top of mind for us, as was his family, and we look forward
to helping him along as he reenters the world and makes the
most of it again.
"In the end, the charges against Evan were without merit because
there was no crime. He is a journalist and journalism is not a
crime. He has, finally, prevailed through his inspiring
determination."
Founded in 1908, the National Press Club is the world's leading
professional organization for journalists. With 3,000 members
representing nearly every major journalism organization, the
Club is a leading voice for press freedom in the U.S.
and worldwide.
Contact: Bill McCarren,
wmccarren@press.org for the National Press Club
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SOURCE National Press Club