Journalist From NJ Detained In Russia On Espionage Charges: Reports

Editor's note: This story has been updated with comment from the White House and Gov. Phil Murphy.

MOSCOW — Russian officials are holding an American journalist from New Jersey on spying accusations while he was working for the Wall Street Journal, reports say.

Evan Gershkovich, 31, graduated from Princeton High School in 2010 and then attended Bowdoin College. He is accused of trying to obtain classified information in Russia, according to reports from the Wall Street Journal and Associated Press. The Journal denied these accusations and demanded his release.

Russia's Federal Security Service said Gershkovich was detained in Yekaterinburg, a city in the Ural Mountains, on Thursday. He is the first American reporter to be arrested on espionage charges in Russia since 1986.

A Russian court ordered him detained until May 29, according to the Journal.

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said he was "outraged" by Gerskovich's "politically-motivated detention" in a statement Thursday afternoon.

"The Putin regime is brazenly targeting American citizens," Murphy said. "We will do everything in our power to help bring Evan home."

Meanwhile, the White House said that officials were in contact with Gershkovich's family ,and have been in direct touch with the Russian government to secure consular access to Gershkovich.

"The targeting of American citizens by the Russian government is unacceptable. We condemn the detention of Mr. Gershkovich in the strongest terms," the White House said in a press statement.

"We also condemn the Russian government’s continued targeting and repression of journalists and freedom of the press."

Gershkovich, who speaks fluent Russian, could face up to 20 years in prison if he is convicted of espionage, reports the AP.

The Federal Security Service (FSB) said Gershkovich “was acting on the U.S. orders to collect information about the activities of one of the enterprises of the Russian military-industrial complex that constitutes a state secret," the Associated Press reported.

“The Wall Street Journal vehemently denies the allegations from the FSB and seeks the immediate release of our trusted and dedicated reporter, Evan Gershkovich,” the WSJ said. “We stand in solidarity with Evan and his family.”

The Journal said Gershkovich has been a reporter in Russia since 2017, previously working for Agence France-Presse and the Moscow Times. One of his most recent articles, on the effect of sanctions on Russia's economy, was published March 28.

Russian officials said Gershkovich had accreditation from the Russian Foreign Ministry to work as a journalist, but alleged he was using his credentials as a cover for “activities that have nothing to do with journalism.”

“It is not about a suspicion, it is about the fact that he was caught red-handed," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-Ewing Township) said Gershkovich's detention "is outrageous and completely unacceptable."

"He must be safely and immediately returned to his family," Watson Coleman said. "I'm working with my colleagues in the New Jersey delegation and the Administration to ensure his immediate release."

Princeton High School alumni and his soccer teammates are trying to support Gershkovich’s family during this time, district officials said.

“I knew Evan Gershkovich well,” said Wayne Sutcliffe, a physical education teacher at Princeton High School and head soccer coach.

“He was captain of the Princeton High School 2009 soccer team, which won the New Jersey State Championship. I have been fielding text messages all morning from our Princeton High School soccer alumni, all of whom are trying to find a way we can help to support Evan’s family.”

Gershkovich was described as a “terrific kid and great soccer captain” by an alumna who knew him. His peers said he was an outstanding student and an exceptional athlete during his time at PHS.

This story contains reporting by Patch's Sarah Salvadore.