Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Angus King (I-ME), last week joined 30 of their colleagues in writing an open letter to wrongfully detained Wall Street Journal reporter and Bowdoin College graduate, Evan Gershkovich. The letter condemns his unjust detention by the Russian government and underscores their support for him during his wrongful imprisonment. In March, Senators Collins and King called for Evan’s immediate release.

“We write to express our profound anger and concern over your unjust and wrongful detention in Russia,” the lawmakers wrote. “We hope you are doing as well as possible under the current circumstances and understand the enormous burden you may feel as the Russian government uses you as a political tool. We hope this letter makes clear our support and solidarity on your behalf and our desire that you and fellow detainee Paul Whelan are immediately and unconditionally released. Since your arrest, we have advocated for your release publicly and privately. We will not stop until you are safely home. We believe that a free press is crucial to the foundation and support of human rights everywhere.”

“We are fully committed to bringing you, Paul, and every wrongfully detained American home at the earliest opportunity,” they continued. “Every day you spend in Russia is a day too long. Please know that the support for you and Paul go well beyond the walls of the United States Senate, and that the American people are with us in demanding your release.”

Full text of the letter can be read here and below:

Dear Mr. Gershkovich,

We write to express our profound anger and concern over your unjust and wrongful detention in Russia. We hope you are doing as well as possible under the current circumstances and understand the enormous burden you may feel as the Russian government uses you as a political tool. We hope this letter makes clear our support and solidarity on your behalf and our desire that you and fellow detainee Paul Whelan are immediately and unconditionally released. Since your arrest, we have advocated for your release publicly and privately. We will not stop until you are safely home.

We believe that a free press is crucial to the foundation and support of human rights everywhere. We applaud you for your efforts to report the truth about Russia’s reprehensible invasion of Ukraine, a conflict that has resulted in untellable atrocities, tragedies, and loss of life. Your courageous efforts have demonstrated how these atrocities have affected everyday Ukrainians and helped inform accountability efforts here in Washington.

We are fully committed to bringing you, Paul, and every wrongfully-detained American home at the earliest opportunity. Every day you spend in Russia is a day too long. Please know that the support for you and Paul go well beyond the walls of the United States Senate, and that the American people are with us in demanding your release.

Please stay well and strong, and we hope to meet you face-to-face when you are returned to your loved ones.

In addition to Senator Collins, the letter was signed by Senators James Risch (R-ID), Chris Coons (D-DE), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Dr. Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Rick Scott (R-FL), Peter Welch (D-VT), Roger Wicker (R-MS), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Tim Scott (R-SC), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), Mark Warner (D-VA), James Lankford (R-OK), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), John Cornyn (R-TX), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Chris Murphy (D-CT), and Mike Crapo (R-ID).