U.S. finds Wall Street Journal reporter in Russia is being wrongfully detained

Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich is the first U.S. correspondent since the Cold War to be detained for alleged spying. (Associated Press)

WASHINGTON — The Biden administration formally determined Monday that a Wall Street Journal reporter arrested in Russia on espionage charges has been “wrongfully detained.”

The designation elevates the case of Evan Gershkovich in the U.S. government hierarchy and means that a dedicated State Department office will take the lead on securing his release.