Evan Gershkovich: Parents of journalist detained in Russia say they remain hopeful he will be released

Evan Gershkovich’s parents have told News Corp the release of Australian Chinese journalist Cheng Lei has given them new hope their son will be released from Russian custody.

The parents of detained reporter Evan Gershkovich said the release of Australian Chinese journalist Cheng Lei gives them hope as their son approaches 250 days being held captive in Russia.

The 32-year-old Wall St Journal reporter was arrested in March 2023 and later charged with espionage – making him the first American journalist charged with spying since the Cold War.

“We are holding up, we have no other choice,” Evan’s mother Ella Milman said.

“We need to fight for Evan”.

US journalist Evan Gershkovich has been arrested in Russia on espionage charges. Picture: AFP

Evan’s father Mikhail said while they have been solely focused on their son, they have been buoyed by Ms Lei’s release after more than two years in a Chinese prison.

“Hope is something that we have to have,” Mr Gershkovich said.

He also spoke out against the increased risk reporters face simply for just doing their jobs and being used as political pawns.

“The normalisation of arresting journalists and using them in this game is absolutely horrible,” Mr Gershkovich said.

“Not only for journalism but for democracy and the world.”

Evan’s parents Mikhail Gershkovich and Ella Milman. Picture: Krista Schade, The Riverine Grazier

Wall St Journal assistant editor Paul Beckett is now working full time on finding ways to bring Evan home.

“As a colleague Evan is viewed as one of the young star reporters at the Wall St Journal and we can’t wait for him to come back,” Mr Beckett said.

“This isn’t something that we’ve faced before. We haven’t had a situation like this before - it will be 250 days on December 4.

Evan’s parents say they are holding hope of Evan’s safe release. Picture: Rod Savage

“They’re investigating espionage charges. It’s really bogus. There isn’t much to investigate,” he said.

“There’s no sense that this will end in any other way than a conviction,” added Dow Jones Legal Counsel Jay Conti.

He said contact with the Australian Government over Evan’s detainment had been very limited but any help would be greatly welcomed.

“I think it is going to take democracies all over the world to stand up and talk about the importance of the free press,” Mr Beckett added.

Originally published as Evan Gershkovich: Parents of journalist detained in Russia say they remain hopeful he will be released