Evan Gershkovich, a reporter for the Wall Street Journal, shared his experiences on “Fox & Friends” after being held in Russia for over a year. He was released as part of a significant prisoner exchange in 2024. Gershkovich spoke about his new book, “This Cursed Beautiful Land,” which provides a firsthand account of his detention.
Reporting Leads to Wrongful Detention
Gershkovich and a colleague were investigating Russia’s efforts to transition its economy to a military focus. They met a source whom they believed to be credible, but it turned out to be a setup. Gershkovich described how he realized he was wrongfully detained, recounting his arrest by FSB agents, Russia’s internal security service.
He explained, “When you hear FSB, you understand it’s a high-level planned operation.” He recounted being taken in a van, receiving harsh treatment, and initially realizing they accused him of espionage.
The Arrest and Accusations
Gershkovich was detained on March 29, 2023, in Yekaterinburg during a reporting trip. The U.S. government and Wall Street Journal denied the espionage accusations, considering them an attempt to take the journalist hostage. Despite numerous delays, he was convicted in a closed court in 2024 and sentenced to 16 years in a penal colony. His conviction was widely condemned as a sham. Efforts for his release continued with support from his family, colleagues, and the journalism community.
The Moment of Despair
Gershkovich shared a moment in prison that nearly broke him. He learned of a proposed prisoner swap involving the U.S., Russia, and Germany. The plan included his release alongside Paul Whelan, another individual detained in Russia, and Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, in exchange for Vadim Krasikov, an FSB assassin held in Germany.
However, Gershkovich recounted hearing on the radio during a February walk that Navalny had been killed: “At that moment, it’s really bleak for me. I think, ‘Okay, there’s no way I’m getting home now.'”
Ultimately, Gershkovich and Whelan were freed in a large multinational prisoner swap in August 2024.