American journalist Evan Gershkovich has been imprisoned in Russia since February 2022, accused of espionage and other charges. The US government and human rights organizations have called for his immediate release, citing concerns about his health and the lack of evidence against him.

Gershkovich, a freelance journalist who has reported for The New York Times, The Guardian, and other publications, was arrested in Moscow on February 26, 2022. He was initially charged with “violating the privacy of a person’s personal life” and “distribution of pornographic materials,” but the charges were later upgraded to include espionage.

The Russian authorities have provided little information about the allegations against Gershkovich, and the US government has criticized the lack of transparency in his case. In a statement in March 2022, the US State Department said that it was “deeply concerned” about Gershkovich’s arrest and urged the Russian authorities to “ensure that he is treated humanely and afforded all his rights under Russian and international law.”

Since his arrest, Gershkovich has been held in Lefortovo prison in Moscow, a facility known for its harsh conditions. He has reportedly been denied adequate medical care and has lost weight, prompting concerns about his health.

Gershkovich’s family and supporters have also raised concerns about his treatment in prison. In a letter published in The New York Times in March 2022, his mother and brother said that they had been “prevented from communicating with Evan directly” and that they feared for his safety.

Several human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have called for Gershkovich’s immediate release. In a statement in March 2022, Amnesty International said that the charges against Gershkovich were “baseless” and that he had been “detained solely for exercising his right to freedom of expression.”

The US government has also been actively involved in advocating for Gershkovich’s release. In a statement in April 2022, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that the US was “deeply concerned” about Gershkovich’s health and welfare and called on the Russian authorities to “immediately release him.”

Gershkovich’s case is one of several recent instances in which journalists and human rights activists have been targeted by the Russian government. In February 2022, Russian authorities raided the offices of several independent media outlets and arrested several journalists, including Roman Anin, the editor-in-chief of the news website iStories.

The US government and human rights organizations have criticized these actions, calling on Russia to respect press freedom and human rights. In a statement in March 2022, Blinken said that the US was “deeply concerned” about the “deteriorating situation for human rights and civil society in Russia.”

Despite the international pressure, the Russian government has so far refused to release Gershkovich or provide more information about the allegations against him. The case has raised concerns about the state of press freedom and human rights in Russia, as well as the treatment of journalists and other critics of the government.

As of April 2023, Gershkovich remains in prison in Moscow, and his case continues to attract attention from human rights organizations and the international community. The US government has called for his release on numerous occasions, and Gershkovich’s family and supporters continue to advocate for his freedom.