Today is a day of joy for the safe return of our colleague Evan Gershkovich, who left a Russian plane earlier in the Turkish capital, Ankara, as part of a prisoner exchange with Russia.
It is a joyous day for Evan’s family, friends and colleagues, who have cared for and supported him over the past 16 months.
It is a joyous day for the millions of supporters in the United States and around the world who have supported Evan and defended a free press.
And it is a day of joy for the relatives and friends of other unjustly detained American and German citizens who have returned home and for Russian political prisoners who have been released in the West.
It was predictable that this would be the result of an exchange with Russian agents guilty of serious crimes, because it was the only solution, given President Putin’s cynicism. We are grateful to President Biden and his administration for working with persistence and determination to repatriate Evan rather than see him sent to a Russian labor camp for a crime he did not commit.
We are also grateful to other governments who helped end Evan’s nightmare, particularly the German government which played a crucial role.
We know that the U.S. government is acutely aware, as we are, that the only way to prevent a cycle of arrests of innocent people who serve as pawns in cynical geopolitical games is to remove any incentive for Russia and other countries to continue the same abhorrent practices. The plight of Evan and the other returnees—and that of Americans still wrongfully detained around the world—demonstrates the urgent need to change the dynamic to prevent the future capture of innocent hostages.
But for now, we celebrate Evan’s return. In the lead-up to that momentous day, we were determined to make our voices heard as much as possible on his behalf. We are so grateful for all the voices that were raised when his were silent. We can finally say, in unison, “Welcome home, Evan.”
We had the honor of meeting Evan’s family, Ella, Mikhail, Danielle and Anthony, and were amazed by their good humor, courage and wisdom under such pressure. We can imagine and share their joy and relief at the return of their son and brother.
I am proud of the strength with which the WSJ editorial team and Dow Jones responded to the call of a colleague in dire need. Today, we and Evan’s many friends in the media and beyond can celebrate his return to freedom.
All those who spoke out for Evan and worked for his release—the governments of the United States and its allies, Congress, the media industry, Journal readers, supporters of a free press, opponents of arbitrary detention, those touched by the fate of a young American journalist behind bars—can know that their support made a huge difference and is greatly, greatly appreciated.
My biggest thanks, however, must go to Evan himself.
This false case against him has had many significant effects. A blow to freedom of the press. A warning to foreign journalists covering the Kremlin’s activities. A new tension in relations between the United States and Russia.
But at the centre of it all was Evan, our 32-year-old Moscow correspondent from New Jersey who loves to cook, supports Arsenal Football Club and loves living in and reporting from Russia.
He was our inspiration, our galvanizing force. We watched him face his absurd situation with strength, composure, humor, and a “heart sign” behind the glass walls of his courtroom. Along the way, we learned about his life and story and why he is loved by so many.
Now that Evan is home, we plan to give him all the time and space he needs to recharge, reconnect, and think about the next steps in his life and career. We will be there with him and his family. And we look forward to seeing him in the newsroom when he is ready.
I want to end by thanking once again everyone who helped bring him home and am delighted that Evan and his former fellow prisoners will be reunited with their families.
We are at their side,
Emma Tucker
