CONGRESSIONAL LEADERSHIP STATEMENT ON THE CONVICTION OF AMERICAN JOURNALIST EVAN GERSHKOVICH

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Speaker Johnson, Leader Schumer, Leader McConnell and Leader Jeffries released the following statement:

For 478 days, Evan Gershkovich's wrongful detention in Russia has demonstrated the cruelty of Vladimir Putin's thuggish rule. Evan's unjust sentence in a sham trial is a further reminder that attacks on the free press, hostage-taking and hostility to America have been core facets of Russian statecraft for decades.

Journalism is not a crime, and reporters will continue to pursue the truth and hold the Kremlin to account. Once again, we call on the Russian government to release Evan, along with Paul Whelan and others wrongfully detained.

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