Evan Gershkovich's loved ones and colleagues at The Wall Street Journal are ecstatic about his release from detention in Russia.

On Thursday, the Wall Street Journal newsroom applauded when it was announced that Evan Gershkovich, a beloved reporter who had been wrongfully detained by Russia for 16 months, was finally coming home.

Emma Tucker, editor-in-chief of the Wall Street Journal, wrote that we can now collectively say "Welcome home, Evan."

An American reporter, 32 years old, was released in a massive swap of political prisoners that involved the United States, Russia, and other countries. He was arrested on March 29, 2023, while reporting on a trip to Yekaterinburg in the Ural Mountains and was accused of espionage.

Gershkovich was convicted in a "sham" trial and sentenced to 16 years in a high-security penal colony, but was later released weeks later.

On Thursday night, President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris welcomed a group of freed prisoners who arrived at Joint Base Andrews.

"Today marks a historic day as WSJ publisher Almar Latour announced on 'America Reports' that the long-awaited headline from The Wall Street Journal has finally arrived."

Gershkovich, whom Jeremy Berke met 15 years ago at Bowdoin College, is part of a close-knit group of friends who have kept his story in the spotlight.

Berke expressed his excitement to welcome Evan back home and thanked everyone who helped bring him back, including his friends, President Biden, and especially his family, in an interview with Planet Chronicle Digital.

Paul Beckett, previously the Washington bureau chief, now concentrates on bringing Gershkovich back and explained the importance of his job.

"We knew the moment this happened that we wanted to be the employer that you would want, if you were in Evan's situation," Beckett said on "The Story" with Martha MacCallum.

"To ensure a successful negotiation, we wanted to be loud. However, we did not do it ourselves; instead, we had the help of many colleagues in the media. Additionally, other governments, institutions, and millions of well-wishers worldwide supported us to keep Evan in the spotlight."

Gershkovich's release would have been more difficult to achieve if his plight was not prominently featured, as Beckett believed.

"Due to the collective efforts and the government's determination, this occurred today," he stated.

Beckett also shared a lengthy thread on X.

Evan Gershkovich and others held in Russia are finally returning home after 16 months of wrongful imprisonment. We rejoice with his family and all the families reunited today.

"Evan Gershkovich's seizure sparked a wave of support for him and the cause of press freedom. We are deeply grateful to everyone who stood by Evan. Your unwavering support created the foundation for successful negotiations and allowed Evan to shine through even in the most challenging circumstances. Evan proved to be not only a skilled reporter but also an exceptional human being. His resilience, perseverance, and sense of humor inspired us all."

The Journal organized numerous events and launched social media campaigns to raise awareness for Gershkovich, including BBQs, swimming events, a #CookForEvan campaign, and extensive coverage of the horrific ordeal in the paper.

To raise awareness, the National Press Club's bar in Washington D.C. named Evan's favorite burger, a cheeseburger with grilled onions, fried egg, and chili mayo, the "Evan Burger."

Grainne McCarthy, the chief digital editor, sent a memo to staffers stating that Gershkovich had been held captive for 70 weeks before news of his potential release began circulating online.

Gershkovich's colleagues were thanked by McCarthy for a common theme that kept his name prominent.