‘Journalism not crime,’ Biden condemns Russia’s 16-year sentence for U.S. reporter
U.S. President Joe Biden has criticised the 16-year sentence imposed by a Russian court on U.S. reporter Evan Gershkovich.
According to Mr Biden, Mr Gershkovich was targeted by Russia “because he is a journalist and an American.”
Mr Biden, in a statement released by the White House, said the reporter had “committed no crime.”
He added that the U.S. government will continue to fight for the Wall Street Journal reporter’s release as well as for all U.S. citizens unlawfully detained abroad.
“Journalism is not a crime,” Mr Biden said, adding that both he and the United Nations have said that Russia is wrongfully detaining the reporter.
“We will continue to stand strong for press freedom in Russia and worldwide, and we will stand against all those who seek to attack the press or target journalists,” the U.S. president added.
(dpa/NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
States
Kano architects demand strict enforcement of building regulations
Disturbed by recurring cases of building collapses, the Kano State chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Architects has called for strict enforcement of building regulations.
States
Flooding: NEMA, KADSEMA search for missing persons in Kaduna River
NEMA and KADSEMA have launched a search-and-rescue operation for two persons swept away by floodwaters in the Kaduna River.
States
Police rescue 15 cows, one Katsina resident from bandits
The police command in Katsina says it has foiled kidnap and cattle rustling attempts in Funtua and Musawa council areas, rescuing one kidnap victim and recovering 15 rustled cows.
Agriculture
Farmers seek subsidised farm inputs to boost food production in Taraba
The farmers said the high cost and limited availability of fertilisers and other essential farm inputs had become major constraints as the rainy season commenced.
Politics
Kaduna: 12,000 people defect to APC in Lere LG
Twelve thousand members of opposition political parties have defected to the All Progressives Congress in the Lere council area of Kaduna.
Anti-Corruption
LS Cable & System USA agrees to pay $4 million to resolve PPP loan fraud allegations
LS Cable & System USA has agreed to pay $4 million to the United States to resolve allegations of false claims for payments under the Paycheck Protection Programme loans.
