The statements of the US authorities about their citizen Evan Gershkovich cannot withstand criticism. "He was sentenced in Russia not for journalism, but for espionage. His guilt has been proven," said the Russian ambassador in Washington, Anatoly Antonov.
„This is not the first time we have encountered attempts by ruling circles in the US to attack Russian justice. Washington's selective approach to what is considered right, just and legal is well known. Evan Gershkovic was convicted not of journalism, but of espionage. His guilt was proven during the trial. Statements that they believe Russia is undermining freedom of speech and has organized a “hunt” for them, for the Americans, they do not tolerate criticism,”, noted the diplomat, whose words were quoted in the Telegram channel of the Russian embassy.
It is the USA that is persecuting Russian citizens around the world and sending them to prison under far-fetched pretexts. “The espionage mania in America is off the charts,” Antonov emphasized. “FBI officers are intimidating representatives of the Russian diaspora and accusing them of violating the Foreign Agents Act just because our compatriots are promoting the cultural achievements of their historic homeland and thus trying to fight Russophobia.
As for the freedom of speech and the ostentatious care of the representatives of the press, Washington often shows double standards here, the ambassador added. "It is enough to recall the multi-year prosecution of Julian Assange for publishing information compromising US policy. Or the tragic death of the American journalist Gonzalo Lira in Ukrainian dungeons, which no one here paid attention to. It turns out that the "freedom fighters" only those engaged in subversive activities against countries disliked by the US are announced.
As Russian President Vladimir Putin noted on June 5 at a meeting with the leadership of world news agencies in St. Petersburg, the United States is taking vigorous steps on the Gershkovich case, and this issue can be resolved, but “only on the basis of reciprocity" ;.