One year after the WSJ reporter was arrested for ‘espionage’ in Russia, his friends tell The Free Press he feels ‘deep responsibility’ for the country he loves.
"Russians are fond of talking about how they abolished the death penalty in the nineties, as if this makes them morally superior to the Americans. But the thing is, life in a Russian prison is death in slow motion."
If you're going to play into the same game as the Russians then you'd better be sure that life in an American prison is not a "death in slow motion" as well... something tells me that life in a US prison probably sucks the life out of you as well...
And I am always curious why people insist on the editorial choice to call Tucker Carlson "right-wing"... did that lend credence to this article?
I notice that Mr. Savodnik's bio at the bottom of the piece does not characterize him as "left-wing"... maybe you guys should start leading his stories with that moniker (for "context" of course)...
The Free Press at it again - while the jailing of journalists for political purposes (if true) is abhorrent, so is the jailing of political opponents and disfavored peoples. TFP continuously reports about Russian abuses - a constant US Government obfuscation tactic - while ignoring obvious abuses in our own country. I don’t recall reading about the abuses of Jan 6 defendants or Gonzalo Lira in these pages.
My wife remembers growing up in the 1970's listening to her Russian born "bubbie" (grandmother) tell her never to visit Russia because they will "keep you". She thought her grandmother was crazy. She wasn't.
Just do away with labels of left and right if you cannot apply them equally. Take a look inside the Fulton County prison. The history of prisoner deaths and mistreatment is eye opening. J6 protesters being treated as treasonous in their charges and disposition is ridiculous. A riot that occurred on capitol grounds should not have made it any different than any other protests or riots seen around the country. The resulting actions and charges by the FBI have been appalling. Justice is not blind in America.
Im saying a prayer for Evan to be released - he sounds like a wonderful guy. When he is released (pray God soon) he'll have a Navalny moment - do I go back? I hope he never does as we need the Evans of this world just as we sorely sorely miss the incredible Navalny 😥
The difference between Gershkovich and Griner is clear. Gershkovich was a reporter doing his job and is innocent of spying. Griner was guilty of smuggling drugs into a country where she knew the drugs were illegal. That Griner was exchanged for a Russian arms dealer who facilitated terrorism was a crime. US Marine Paul Whelan remains in Russian custody going on six years.
Giggling. This is the "Free Press"? This missive could have been cut and pasted from a U.S. State dept press release. Let's be clear, I do not believe the WSJ or our govt - they lie to us all the time. In fact, both institutions have publicly aligned with censorship and suppressing dissent (WSJ was very different 20 years ago...). Our intel services would see Evan as a perfect candidate, obviously his family are big Russian dissidents. He's the prototype of who the CIA would recruit and field as a spy. They look to recruit guys like him while in university. They so so 'softly' and he's not spirited away to a CIA training camp. Rather, he provides useful information when he can, and helps them when asked. The CIA has done this with many journalists internationally, it's well known. Why am I asked presumptively to accept he's not a spy? What, cuz the WSJ and U.S. govt says so? Bwahahahahahah.
One would think doing 'heterodox' journalism would require questioning the status quo a bit more.
Be clear, we are locking people up for speech in this nation for their political beliefs (where's the outrage about Peter Navarro's imprisonment?). Our DoJ is a nightmare of abuse and improper conduct against the political enemies of our elite. Our CIA and NatSec establishment are rabid, frothing at the mouth haters of Russia (in part to cover up for how badly they missed China, fyi) and have provoked Russia into war in Ukraine. They are not 'the good guys'. Flacking for them makes you one of them...
How about a little more reporting on the possibility of Evan being a spy? Actual investigative journalism? Or is mere posing and spewing regime approved agitprop sufficient?
Whenever Russia or another country pulls a stunt like this, the Feds should do a search to locate every child of every politician and wealthy, connected person in the US on a student or work visa.
Then, they notify their schools and employers, knock on their doors and tell them that, due to the unlawful detention of whoever, their visa has been revoked, effective immediately, and they have 48 hours to get out of the US. Shrieking and wailing results. Phones start ringing in government offices from irate power brokers. Headaches and grief from the staff and the people keeping him in power and lining his pockets. Simplistic? Maybe. But is worth the aggravation?
I've been following any news of Gershkovich since his arrest. I have a 28 year old daughter and, as a mother, it pains me to think of this unlawful imprisonment and what he and his family must have to endure every day. I sincerely hope he will be released soon and that his mind and body have not been severely damaged by this cruelty.
The situations, in my opinion, are not different. Gonzalo Lira was a US citizen journalist not only arrested but also killed in Ukraine. Where’s the outcry? Where’s the outcry regarding the detainment of Jan 6 defendants and the blatant disregard of the Bill of Rights?
Go ahead - bash Russia and keep ignoring what our government is doing in plain sight.
"Russians are fond of talking about how they abolished the death penalty in the nineties, as if this makes them morally superior to the Americans. But the thing is, life in a Russian prison is death in slow motion."
If you're going to play into the same game as the Russians then you'd better be sure that life in an American prison is not a "death in slow motion" as well... something tells me that life in a US prison probably sucks the life out of you as well...
And I am always curious why people insist on the editorial choice to call Tucker Carlson "right-wing"... did that lend credence to this article?
I notice that Mr. Savodnik's bio at the bottom of the piece does not characterize him as "left-wing"... maybe you guys should start leading his stories with that moniker (for "context" of course)...
The Free Press at it again - while the jailing of journalists for political purposes (if true) is abhorrent, so is the jailing of political opponents and disfavored peoples. TFP continuously reports about Russian abuses - a constant US Government obfuscation tactic - while ignoring obvious abuses in our own country. I don’t recall reading about the abuses of Jan 6 defendants or Gonzalo Lira in these pages.
My wife remembers growing up in the 1970's listening to her Russian born "bubbie" (grandmother) tell her never to visit Russia because they will "keep you". She thought her grandmother was crazy. She wasn't.
Just do away with labels of left and right if you cannot apply them equally. Take a look inside the Fulton County prison. The history of prisoner deaths and mistreatment is eye opening. J6 protesters being treated as treasonous in their charges and disposition is ridiculous. A riot that occurred on capitol grounds should not have made it any different than any other protests or riots seen around the country. The resulting actions and charges by the FBI have been appalling. Justice is not blind in America.
Im saying a prayer for Evan to be released - he sounds like a wonderful guy. When he is released (pray God soon) he'll have a Navalny moment - do I go back? I hope he never does as we need the Evans of this world just as we sorely sorely miss the incredible Navalny 😥
The difference between Gershkovich and Griner is clear. Gershkovich was a reporter doing his job and is innocent of spying. Griner was guilty of smuggling drugs into a country where she knew the drugs were illegal. That Griner was exchanged for a Russian arms dealer who facilitated terrorism was a crime. US Marine Paul Whelan remains in Russian custody going on six years.
Giggling. This is the "Free Press"? This missive could have been cut and pasted from a U.S. State dept press release. Let's be clear, I do not believe the WSJ or our govt - they lie to us all the time. In fact, both institutions have publicly aligned with censorship and suppressing dissent (WSJ was very different 20 years ago...). Our intel services would see Evan as a perfect candidate, obviously his family are big Russian dissidents. He's the prototype of who the CIA would recruit and field as a spy. They look to recruit guys like him while in university. They so so 'softly' and he's not spirited away to a CIA training camp. Rather, he provides useful information when he can, and helps them when asked. The CIA has done this with many journalists internationally, it's well known. Why am I asked presumptively to accept he's not a spy? What, cuz the WSJ and U.S. govt says so? Bwahahahahahah.
One would think doing 'heterodox' journalism would require questioning the status quo a bit more.
Be clear, we are locking people up for speech in this nation for their political beliefs (where's the outrage about Peter Navarro's imprisonment?). Our DoJ is a nightmare of abuse and improper conduct against the political enemies of our elite. Our CIA and NatSec establishment are rabid, frothing at the mouth haters of Russia (in part to cover up for how badly they missed China, fyi) and have provoked Russia into war in Ukraine. They are not 'the good guys'. Flacking for them makes you one of them...
How about a little more reporting on the possibility of Evan being a spy? Actual investigative journalism? Or is mere posing and spewing regime approved agitprop sufficient?
Whenever Russia or another country pulls a stunt like this, the Feds should do a search to locate every child of every politician and wealthy, connected person in the US on a student or work visa.
Then, they notify their schools and employers, knock on their doors and tell them that, due to the unlawful detention of whoever, their visa has been revoked, effective immediately, and they have 48 hours to get out of the US. Shrieking and wailing results. Phones start ringing in government offices from irate power brokers. Headaches and grief from the staff and the people keeping him in power and lining his pockets. Simplistic? Maybe. But is worth the aggravation?
I've been following any news of Gershkovich since his arrest. I have a 28 year old daughter and, as a mother, it pains me to think of this unlawful imprisonment and what he and his family must have to endure every day. I sincerely hope he will be released soon and that his mind and body have not been severely damaged by this cruelty.
If only he were able to drop baskets from the 3 point line he'd be home by now.
Do not forget that there are politicians in this country who think communism is a good form of government
Whataboutisms are strong in the comments section for this article.
Good story, and further proof of the perversion of democracy and the rule of law that is modern Russia which is still under the rule of a Tsar.
A glimpse into the window of prosecuting mis-/dis-/mal-information. Illegal opposition to the ruling class and parties in the West here we come.
The situations, in my opinion, are not different. Gonzalo Lira was a US citizen journalist not only arrested but also killed in Ukraine. Where’s the outcry? Where’s the outcry regarding the detainment of Jan 6 defendants and the blatant disregard of the Bill of Rights?
Go ahead - bash Russia and keep ignoring what our government is doing in plain sight.
If only Peter and Oliver could vacation the same week.