US urges its citizens to leave Russia 'immediately'

March 31, 2023 00:38

Antony Blinken/Michael Varaklas/Pool/Reuters

US State Department Secretary Antony Blinken on Thursday requested the Americans living in Russia to leave the country "immediately", after the reporter was arrested in Moscow.

Taking to Twitter, Blinken said, "We are deeply concerned over Russia's announcement it has detained a US citizen journalist. The @StateDept's highest priority is the safety and security of US citizens abroad. If you are a U.S. citizen living or travelling in Russia -- please leave immediately."

These remarks came after an American reporter for Wall Street Journal Evann Gershkovich was arrested in Russia on espionage charges, according to Al-Jazeera.

In a statement, Blinken said, "We are deeply concerned over Russia's widely-reported detention of a US citizen journalist. We are in contact with the Wall Street Journal on this situation. Whenever a U.S. citizen is detained abroad, we immediately seek consular access, and seek to provide all appropriate support."

"In the strongest possible terms, we condemn the Kremlin's continued attempts to intimidate, repress, and punish journalists and civil society voices," the statement added. -- ANI

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