The arrest of Wall Street Journal correspondent Evan Gershkovich by the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) on espionage charges is indicative of a larger problem in Russia. President Vladimir Putin's willingness to lead an isolationist state dismissive of global norms has resulted in a ruthless wartime government with a disregard for rules and a willingness to crush even small dissent at home. This was demonstrated in the case of Alexei Moskalyov, a single father sentenced to two years in prison after his 13-year-old daughter drew an antiwar picture at school. ,
The arrest of Gershkovich sends a clear message that the Kremlin is burning all bridges with what it calls "the collective west". This has caused widespread shock in Russia and has been deemed "unfair" even by Yevgeniy Prigozhin, the leader of the Wagner mercenary group. Journalists have been increasingly at risk of arrest and the Kremlin's aggressive rhetoric and calls for tougher action to root out internal enemies have created an incentive for brutality in law enforcement. ,
In response, President Biden has called for the Kremlin to let Gershkovich go, while the Wall Street Journal has called for the expulsion of Russian Ambassador to the United States and all Russian journalists who work in the country. The case of Moskalyov and his daughter has stunned even Russian hard-liner, highlighting the increasing power and impunity of Russia's security services and putting many families in a vulnerable position.
The arrest of Gershkovich, a respected journalist from a major western publication with a visa and accreditation from Russia's Foreign Ministry, is a chilling reminder of the Kremlin's disregard for freedom of expression and the press. The Journal is calling for Gershkovich's immediate release and is asserting that journalism is not a crime. As the international community continues to closely monitor the situation, it is clear that the Kremlin's actions are a cause for concern and that press freedom should be protected at all costs.