Jailed Wall Street Journal reporter keeps himself occupied listening to Arsenal scores

Susie Coen
Evan Gershkovich was the first American journalist arrested on espionage charges in Russia since 1986
Evan Gershkovich was the first American journalist arrested on espionage charges in Russia since 1986 - NATALIA KOLESNIKOVA/AFP

A United States journalist who has been imprisoned by Vladimir Putin for a year has kept himself occupied by listening to Arsenal highlights on Russian television.

Evan Gershkovich, 32, a reporter for The Wall Street Journal, has been in prison since his arrest on March 29 last year on dubious spying charges.

His newspaper and the US government have vehemently denied the allegations and insist he is being wrongfully detained.

A banner is displayed in support of Evan Gershkovich at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium in April 2023
A banner is displayed in support of Evan Gershkovich at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium in April 2023 - Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe

The reporter, who was living in London at the time of his arrest but had travelled to Russia for an assignment, told his colleagues he had been buoyed by listening to recaps of Arsenal games from his bed in Lefortovo prison in eastern Moscow.

“I experience the same highs and lows as if I got to watch the game live,” said Mr Gershkovich, who had planned to spend 2023 watching more games at the Emirates Stadium.

Hearing the highlights from a recent Champions League win was a particularly uplifting moment for the first American journalist arrested on espionage charges in Russia since 1986.

“Spring came to Moscow and the lads gifted me the happiest Wednesday morning – another chance to get a small glimpse of them even from here,” he told The Wall Street Journal.

A billboard at Times Square in New York marks a year since the journalist's arrest
A billboard at Times Square in New York marks a year since the journalist's arrest - TIMOTHY A CLARY/AFP

It came as Joe Biden said he is “working every day” to secure Mr Gershkovich’s release.

“Journalism is not a crime,” the Democrat leader said in a statement. “We will continue to denounce and impose costs for Russia’s appalling attempts to use Americans as bargaining chips,” he added.

Mr Gershkovich was arrested while on a reporting trip to the Ural Mountains city of Yekaterinburg.

The Federal Security Service alleges he was acting on US orders to collect state secrets but provided no evidence to support the accusation.

Friday's front page of The Wall Street Journal carried an image of the journalist with the words 'His story should be here'
Friday's front page of The Wall Street Journal carried an image of the journalist with the words 'His story should be here' - TIMOTHY A CLARY/AFP

On Friday, there was a giant blank space on the front page of The Wall Street Journal with an image of Mr Gershkovich alongside the headline “His story should be here”.

A recent court hearing ordered Mr Gershkovich to remain behind bars pending trial until at least June 30, the fifth extension of his detention.

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