Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Sport
Lawrence Ostlere

Arsenal fans display banner in support of US journalist detained by Russia

Action Images via Reuters

Arsenal fans displayed a banner in support of the Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich who has been detained by Russian authorities in Moscow.

Gershkovich, who is an Arsenal supporter, was arrested last month on charges of espionage and is being held at the notorious Lefortovo prison in the Russian capital ahead of his trial. He faces up to 20 years in jail.

“The charges against Evan are baseless, and we call on the Russian Federation to immediately release him,” said the US ambassador to Russia, Lynne Tracy, after the court denied Gershkovich’s appeal against the terms of his detention.

Before their Premier League match with Southampton at the Emirates Stadium on Friday night, some Arsenal fans held up a banner which read “Arsenal fans stand with Evan Gershkovich” underneath the hashtag “#FreeEvan”.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.