Gershkovich, 32, was detained in March 2023 during a reporting trip to Yekaterinburg, a city in the Ural Mountains. He was accused of gathering secret information for the US. This is the first time an American journalist has been charged with espionage in Russia since the Cold War era.
New Delhi: A Russian court convicted Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich on espionage charges and sentenced him to 16 years in prison. The conviction follows a rapid and secretive trial that many view as politically motivated. Both Gershkovich and his employer, along with the US government, have vehemently denied the charges and called the trial a sham.
Gershkovich, 32, was detained in March 2023 during a reporting trip to Yekaterinburg, a city in the Ural Mountains. He was accused of gathering secret information for the US. This is the first time an American journalist has been charged with espionage in Russia since the Cold War era. Earlier in 1986, Nicholas Daniloff faced such allegations.
Secret trial in Russia
The trial took place behind closed doors, with Gershkovich denying all charges. Prosecutors sought an 18-year sentence, but the court ultimately handed down a 16-year term in a high-security prison. Russian trials for espionage and treason are notoriously opaque, and often conducted without public scrutiny.
International reactions
The US State Department has declared Gershkovich 'wrongfully detained,' committing to a robust effort to secure his release. has also been vocal in its support and stated that Gershkovich was simply performing his duties as a journalist.
In a statement, The Wall Street Journal said, “Evan's wrongful detention has been an outrage since his unjust arrest 477 days ago, and it must end now.”
Today, Dow Jones CEO and Wall Street Journal Publisher Almar Latour and Wall Street Journal Editor in Chief Emma Tucker released the below statement on @WSJ reporter Evan Gershkovich.
Statement here: https://t.co/RNR1yj4TZO#IStandWithEvan pic.twitter.com/69aDXhwOxb
— WSJ Communications (@WSJPR) July 19, 2024
Furthermore, it added, “Even as Russia orchestrates its shameful sham trial, we continue to do everything we can to push for Evan's immediate release and to state unequivocally: Evan was doing his job as a journalist, and journalism is not a crime. Bring him home now.”
Espionage allegations against Evan Gershkovich
Russian authorities accused Gershkovich of collecting secret information about Uralvagonzavod, a factory involved in military production. Despite claims of having 'irrefutable evidence,' no substantial proof has been presented. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and other officials have maintained that the charges are valid.
