France today expressed regret over the “outrageous sentence” of American journalist Evan Hershkovich and called on Russian authorities to release “all political prisoners,” both domestic and foreign.
“The repressive drift of the Russian regime continues to intensify,” French Foreign Ministry spokesman Christophe Lemoyne lamented in a press release, stressing that France is “very concerned about the increasing restrictions on freedom of expression, freedom of information and access to independent information in Russia.”
Paris calls on Moscow to “respect fundamental rights and freedoms in accordance with Russia’s international obligations.”
A Russian court on Friday sentenced American journalist Evan Gershkovich to 16 years in prison after a quick, closed-door trial on charges of “espionage,” a charge that Russia has never confirmed.
The 32-year-old Wall Street Journal reporter will have to serve his sentence in a “maximum regime” prison, which means very strict conditions compared to “regular regime.”
Evan Gershkovich is the first Western journalist to be convicted of espionage in Russia.
However, his conviction is a precondition for a possible prisoner swap with Washington, as Moscow only exchanges detainees if they are found guilty.
On Friday, US President Joe Biden said the United States was working “tirelessly” to secure his release.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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