Evan Gershkovich spends 23 hours a day in his cell in Lefortovo prison, on the outskirts of Moscow. Once a week he meets his lawyer. From time to time he is taken to a court where his detention is extended, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Friday marked a year since he was imprisoned and charged with espionage, according to Russian authorities caught red-handed.
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Following an initiative by the WSJ, the hashtag #IStandWithEvan spread on social media this week, to call attention to Gershkovich’s case.
In a statement on the anniversary of his imprisonment, Joe Biden reiterated calls for his release.
“I will not give up hope. We will continue to work every day to ensure his release,” it says the press release.
Last month, Russian President Vladimir Putin said of Gershkovich that he “would like him to go home eventually” and added:
“I say this sincerely.”
Moscow has previously hinted that it wants to exchange Evan Gershkovich for the life-imprisoned Russian officer Vadim Krasikov, reports BBC.
Have contact with the family
Sometimes he can play chess with his father over email. Then he takes the opportunity to propose changes to his fantasy football team, writes the WSJ – the newspaper that Gershkovich worked for.
– It has been a very difficult year. The uncertainty is difficult to deal with, says sister Danielle Gershkovich to the BBC.