Russia ‘spy’ arrest: Jailing foreign journalists on espionage charges has not been seen since Cold War

Evan Gershkovich’s arrest sets an alarming precedent

US reporter Evan Gershkovich was jailed for doing his job. Photo: Reuters

Roland OliphantTelegraph Media Group Limited

No one who knows Evan Gershkovich believes he is a spy. Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) has yet to present its evidence, but at this stage it seems clear that he has been fitted up for simply doing his job: asking people questions, and writing down what they say.