US announces new sanctions against Russian FSB, Iran's IRGC

The Voice of America reported this. 

“Today, we are announcing sanctions against the Federal Security Service of Russia, known as the FSB, for “being responsible for or complicit in, directly or indirectly engaged in or responsible for ordering, controlling or otherwise directing the wrongful detention of a US national abroad,” the US government said.

The officials emphasized that the FSB “has repeatedly participated in the arrest, investigation and detention of US citizens illegally detained in Russia. Moreover, Russian state media have publicly acknowledged the FSB's involvement in the arrest and investigation of unlawful detention of US citizens.”

Sanctions were also announced against Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and four other individuals associated with the organization. According to officials, this is only the first round of sanctions provided for by President Biden's executive order.

“These individuals (individuals and entities - ed.) in Russia and Iran have attempted to use Americans for political influence or to seek concessions from the United States.” These actions threaten the stability and integrity of the international political system, as well as the security of US citizens and others abroad, they added.

The US State Department has recognized the journalist of The Wall Street Journal, Evan Gershkovich, as unlawfully detained by Russia. This status is equivalent to the status of a hostage – Washington has previously included Russia in the list of countries where there is a threat of state capture of US citizens.

Gershkovich faces up to 20 years in prison on espionage charges. Many experts suggest that the journalist is to be exchanged for a Russian citizen arrested by a Western country.

• On March 30, the FSB detained The Wall Street Journal journalist Evan Gershkovich in Yekaterinburg, arresting him in a case of espionage.

• Today, on April 27, the Russian Foreign Ministry rejected the US request for a consular visit to the arrested journalist.