More than 300 foreign correspondents who worked in Moscow they wrote to the Russian government demanding his immediate release Evan Gerskovichher journalist Wall Street Journal who was arrested on charges of espionage.

They emphasize that his arrest sends a “disturbing and dangerous signal” about the country’s attitude towards independent media.

Gerskovich, who was detained in Yekaterinburg last month on charges of espionage that could lead to a sentence imprisonment for 20 yearsis the first American journalist to be detained on such a charge since the end of the Cold War.

Both the Wall Street Journal and the US government deny involvement in espionage.

301 signatories the letter includes Orla Guerin from the BBC, former New York Times reporter Bill Kellerto him John Kampfnerchief executive of Chatham House and David RemnickNew Yorker editor.

The undersigned journalists have worked in the media from 22 countries.

The first signatory arrived at Moscow in 1964while the most recent are gone in recent weeks.

Letter addressed to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia, Sergei Lavrov, reports that journalists are “shocked and appalled” by Gerskovich’s arrest and subsequent charges against him. urges the charges dropped and his immediate release.

“Evan Gerskovich has had a long and impressive journalistic career,” the letter says, and further: “We have no doubt that the sole purpose and intent of his work was to inform readers about current reality in Russia. Seeking information, even if it means compromising political interests, doesn’t make Evan a criminal or a spy, it makes him a journalist. Journalism is not a crime.”

“The arrest sends a disturbing and dangerous signal about Russia’s disrespect for independent media and demonstrates indifference to the fate of a young, talented and honest journalist,” the letter emphasizes.

31-year-old Gershkovich was detained by security officers of the Russian FSB. March 29shortly after arriving at a steakhouse in Yekaterinburg, on his second trip to the Urals in a month.

Within hours of his arrest, Russian officials publicly stated that Gershkovich’s guilt was beyond doubt.

The Kremlin said that Gershkovich was spying “under the cover” of journalism, while Lavrov noted that Gershkovich was caught “red-handed” trying to obtain secrets. He is currently being held in the Lefortovo prison, which was run by the KGB during the Soviet era.

Source: Guardian