The parents of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who has been held in Russia for 250 days, on Tuesday called on President Biden to make good on his promise and bring their son home.
“President Biden has a promise to do whatever it takes to bring Evan back. He also engages with us as parents, feels our pain, and we hear his words every day. But it’s been 250 years. Days have passed and Evan is not here,” his mother, Ella Millman, told Steve Doocy on “FOX & Friends.” Told.
“There’s still no effort to do whatever it takes,” Millman said.
Gershovich suffered a setback earlier this month when his pre-trial detention in Russia was extended until 2024.
Russian court extends detention of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovitch
Evan Gershkovic’s father Mikhail speaks out about his son’s plight on “FOX & Friends.” (Fox News)
His father, Mikhail Gershkovic, said: “I can’t believe it. 250 days is too long. Evan has already missed his birthday celebration, Thanksgiving and upcoming holidays.”
Gershovich, who has been in custody since March 29 after being arrested on suspicion of espionage in Yekaterinburg, will remain in prison until at least January 30, 2024. Russian authorities claim that Mr. Gershkovitch “acted on instructions from the American side and collected information that constituted state secrets regarding the activities of the American side.” A company of the Russian military-industrial complex. ”
The Biden administration has repeatedly called for Gershkovic’s release, saying he is being “unlawfully detained,” and the US government and the Wall Street Journal have criticized the spying charges as absurd. It is widely believed that the Russians detained journalists to suppress domestic journalism and to obtain bargaining chips for a future prisoner exchange.
Doocy told Millman that she “should have known” her son was not a spy, especially since he worked in the newsroom several floors above the “Fox & Friends” studios. .
“We’re not spies, people are journalists,” Doocy said. “But that’s a cover story to keep him in prison. It would be heartbreaking that the United States still hasn’t been able to release him.”
Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovitch sentenced to six months in unlawful detention in Russia
Joe Biden gestures as American journalist Evan Gershkovich appears on screen during the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner at the Washington Hilton on April 29, 2023 in Washington, DC. president. (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images)
Millman said she hasn’t heard from Biden since the day he promised to bring her son home. She said she has been in touch with Roger Carstens, the special presidential envoy for hostage affairs at the State Department, but they have “no knowledge of any actual efforts” to bring her son home.
“If they work as hard as President Biden promised us, and to this day nothing has been accomplished. It’s been 250 days and this is clear. Evan is an American,” Millman said. I’m a journalist,” he said. “He is in Lefortovo prison.”
Gershkovic’s parents said she only knows the information available to other Americans who are “interested in Evan’s case,” but they want the Biden administration to do more.
“We want the U.S. government to do whatever it takes to bring Evan home,” Millman said. “Evan is in Lefortovo Prison. This prison is designed to isolate you and break you down.”
The White House did not respond to requests for comment.
Millman said her son is going through a tough time but is doing everything he can to stay healthy both physically and mentally.
“It’s been 250 days and it’s taken a lot of effort, every day like swimming against the current,” she said.
Doocy then asked Mikhail Gershkovych what he would say to members of the Biden administration.
“The president’s promise gave us a lot of comfort, hope and strength, but 250 days have passed and it has become very difficult,” Mikhail Gershkovych said. “We want the U.S. government to focus on bringing American journalists home.”
Evan Gershkovic remains strong as friend, family remains frustrated by Russia’s indefinite detention
Millman spoke directly to Biden and urged him to keep his promise.
“We still have high hopes and we’re rooting for the U.S. government. Please bring him in and stay focused. He deserves what he deserves. He’s been there for 250 days. We want our son back,” Millman said.
Evan Gershkovich’s mother, Ella Millman, speaks on ‘FOX & Friends’ about her son’s imprisonment in Russia. (Fox News)
If convicted of espionage charges in Russia’s notoriously closed and corrupt judicial system, Gershkovitch could face decades in prison. Experts believe his best hope for freedom would be a prisoner exchange with the United States.
Gershkovic’s friends said: fox news digital He draws strength from the thousands of letters he receives in prison, many from strangers, and maintains a sense of humor despite the harsh circumstances.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“I think he’s strong and he remains strong,” said Peter Sauer of the Guardian. “He’s still determined to prove his innocence. Eight months is a tough time for anyone, but Evan remains incredibly healthy, both mentally and physically. He exercises. , I read a lot, and my energy is still high.”
