Leave Russia instantly: US advisory to residents after journo’s arrest

The US State Department on Thursday suggested all American residents residing in or touring in Russia to depart instantly. The advisory comes within the wake of the arrest of an American correspondent for the Wall Street Journal. Russia on Thursday charged 31-year-old Evan Gershkovich with spying. The Russian safety forces mentioned it arrested Gershkovich within the Urals industrial metropolis of Yekaterinburg, “suspected of spying in the interests of the American government” by gathering data on “one of the enterprises of Russia’s military-industrial complex”, which it didn’t establish. Following Gershkovich’s arrest, the White House mentioned the State Department was in direct contact with the Russian authorities over his detention and urged US residents residing or travelling in Russia to depart instantly. “We condemn the detention of Mr. Gershkovich in the strongest terms,” White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre mentioned. “We also condemn the Russian government’s continued targeting and repression of journalists and freedom of the press.”