Evan Gershkovich, a reporter for the Wall Street Journal, was arrested in Russia while on assignment. Friday, June 7th, marked 100 days since that incident. Mikhail Gershkovich and Ella Milman, Gershkovich’s parents, talked to the Wall Street Journal about their disappointment at not being able to bring their son home.
Gershkovich has been charged with spying by Russia. However, The Wall Street Journal, the writer, and the American government have all refuted this assertion.
Who are Mikhail Gershkovich and Ella Milman?
Mikhail Gershkovich and Ella Milman are the parents of Evan Gershkovich, an American journalist and reporter, detained by Russia 100 days ago.
Following rumors that Jews were about to be banished to Siberia, Ella and Mikhail Gershkovich each separately left the Soviet Union during a period of mass emigration. In 1979, the two traveled to the United States and eventually met in New York City. The couple then relocated to Princeton, New Jersey, where Gershkovich and his sister grew up speaking Russian at home.
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The Federal Security Service of Russia apprehended Evan in March 2023, making him the first American journalist to be jailed in Russia since the Cold War on suspicion of espionage. Recently, Ella and Mikhail discussed their past 100 days with Shelby Holliday of the WSJ.
“There’s absolutely nothing I can do even though I’d like the chance to do anything,” said Mikhail Gershkovich.
Also Read: From Evan Gershkovich to Trevor Reed: 5 US citizens imprisoned by Russia
The family said that they were able to communicate with Evan via letters. They went to Russia on two separate occasions to visit him in court. They were surprised in June when they were permitted to speak with Evan, who was standing in a glass box in the courtroom. “I was just beside myself, so happy,” Ella Milman said. “We were in deeply in our conversation, we were smiling and laughing and the guard brought me back to reality.
“I rely on President Biden’s promise to do whatever it takes to bring Evan back. I rely on his team, on their expertise. He is an American boy, bringing him back, I think is a team effort.” Milman added.
