American journalist Evan Gershkovich has been forced to celebrate his 32nd birthday alone in a Russian prison cell after being arrested on Putin’s orders.
The Wall Street Journal reporter was taken by the notorious Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) last on March 29 while staying in the city of Yekaterinburg.
Charged with spying, Gershkovich has been locked away in the feared Lefortovo prison in Moscow while awaiting trial.
Gershkovich is the first Western journalist to be held in Russia on espionage charges since the fall of the USSR.
If found guilty, the 32-year-old could face up to 20 years in prison.
The jailed journalist’s sister has made a desperate appeal for his release.
Danielle Gershkovich said: “We want him home, every day that Evan is in prison is a day too long.”
Both the Wall Street Journal and the US Government have rejected Russian claims that Gershkovich was spying.
Russian authorities have yet to produce evidence to support their allegations.
The US government has branded the charges against Gershkovich as “ridiculous”.
Danielle Gershkovich has said that US President Joe Biden has promised “he’s going to get Evan home.”
She said: “So we’re relying on the government, but of course, Evan isn’t here today so the job’s not done until he’s sitting with us.
“So we just have to remain strong and do our part on our end.”
