Imprisoned Wall Street Journal reporter constantly listens to Arsenal results

Evan Gershkovitch was the first American journalist to be arrested on spying charges in Russia since 1986. Photo: NATALIA KOLESNIKOVA/AFP

A US journalist who was jailed by Vladimir Putin for a year was busy listening to Arsenal highlights on Russian television.

Evan Gershkovitch, 32, a reporter for The Wall Street Journal, has been in jail since his arrest. March 29 last year on dubious charges of espionage.

His newspaper and the US government have categorically denied the charges and insist that he was wrongfully detained.

Banner in support of Evan Gershkovich on at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium in April 2023. Photo: Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe

The reporter, who was living in London at the time of his arrest but came to Russia on assignment, told colleagues that he was inspired by listening to reviews of Arsenal games while lying on his bed in Lefortovo prison on east of Moscow.

«I'm experiencing the same ups and downs as if I had to watch a game live,» said Mr. Gershkowitz, who planned to spend 2023 watching more games at Emirates Stadium.

The highlights of the recent Champions League victory were a particularly inspiring moment for the first American journalist to be arrested on spying charges in Russia since 1986.

“Spring has come to Moscow, and the guys gave me the happiest Wednesday morning — another chance to see them at least from here,” he told The Wall Street Journal.

A billboard in New York's Times Square marks one year since the journalist's arrest. Photo: TIMOTHY CLARY/AFP

This comes after Joe Biden said he was “working every day” to secure Gershkowitz’s release.

< p>“Journalism is not a crime,” the Democratic leader said in a statement. “We will continue to condemn and impose fines for Russia's horrific attempts to use Americans as bargaining chips,” he added.

Mr. Gershkovich was arrested during a reporting trip to the Ural city of Yekaterinburg.

p>Mr. Gershkovich was arrested during a reporting trip to the Ural city of Yekaterinburg.

p>

The Federal Security Service claims he was acting on US orders to collect state secrets, but has provided no evidence in support of the prosecution.

The Wall Street Journal's front page on Friday carried an image of the journalist with the words: «His story must be Here». Photo: TIMOTHY CLARY/AFP

On Friday, a huge blank space appeared on the front page of The Wall Street Journal with a picture of Mr. Gershkowitz next to the headline “His Story Should Be Here.”

< p>The recent court hearing obliged Gershkovich will remain behind bars awaiting trial until at least June 30, the fifth extension of his detention.