Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich was detained in Russia on March 29 while on a reporting trip and accused of spying. Here’s a breakdown of the events surrounding his arrest and what comes next. Illustration: Todd JohnsonWASHINGTON—For years, U.S. officials’ ability to share information about Americans held in hostile foreign nations was tied to a permission form that detainees often weren’t able to sign—a bureaucratic impasse that compounded family distress and at times complicated their situations. Under a 1974 law known as the Privacy Act, the U.S. government needs to receive written consent from citizens before sharing information about them with anyone, including relatives. Without the completed paperwork, U.S. officials have been delayed speaking directly about a case, whether that is with a person’s loved ones or an American public whose support can be critical for securing a release.

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