Biden calls for release of American prisoners

“Gazetaria should not be a crime anywhere in the world”, Biden said in a communique for the World Press Freedom Day footnote on May 3rd.

In Russia, American journalists Alsu Kurmasheva and Evan Gershkovich were detained in connection with their work on Radio Free Europe and The Wall Street Journal”, Biden said.

Kurmasheva REL journalist based in Prague, who holds dual citizenship, American and Russian, has been held in custody in Russia since October 18th, allegedly violating the so-called law for foreign “agents”.

Critics and human rights groups say the Kremlin uses this law to combat any opposition.

Kurmasevo, 47, is also accused of spreading disinformations for the Russian Army and faces imprisonment of up to 10 years if convicted.

REL and the U.S. Government say the charges are revenge for her work as REL journalist.

Gershkovich, a journalist with the American daily Wall Street Journal, is in custody for more than a year in Russia on spying charges.

Russian authorities have not provided information supporting their spying charges, which the Wall Street Journal and the American Government have rejected.

They claim that Gershkovich has been doing his job and has been accredited as a journalist at the time he was arrested.

Moscow has also been charged with preventing Americans from being detained to use them for exchange with Russian prisoners in the United States.

“On World Press Freedom Day, the United States calls for the immediate and at least release of all journalists who have been imprisoned simply because they were doing their work”, Biden said.

Biden said the US administration will soon announce concrete steps in response to the illegal arrest of journalists worldwide, naming it “serious threat” the crackdown on media freedom for national security of America.

“will authorise measures, including sanctions and visa regimes against them, to take abusive actions to silence the press”, Biden said. / REL