Governor Murphy expressed his relief and gratitude following the release of Evan Gershkovich, a New Jersey native and Princeton High School graduate, from detention in Russia. Gershkovich had been held for over a year after being convicted of espionage by the Russian government.
"I am thrilled to hear that, after over a year of detention, Evan Gershkovich has been freed from Russia," Governor Murphy stated. "Evan is a New Jersey native and Princeton High School graduate who was wrongfully convicted of espionage by the brutal Putin regime — a pawn in a politically-motivated game. I am praying for his safety and health as he returns home to his family and reacclimates to life back in the U.S."
Governor Murphy also extended his thanks to President Biden and international allies involved in the negotiations that led to Gershkovich's release. "I'd like to thank President Biden and our allies involved in this complex, multilateral negotiation for their work to bring Evan and other wrongfully detained Americans home."
