Moscow: The espionage trial of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich has had a new hearing date set for July 18, moved forward from August 13, as announced by the Russian court overseeing the case on Tuesday.
Gershkovich, a 32-year-old American journalist, has consistently denied any wrongdoing. His trial commenced in June behind closed doors in Yekaterinburg, Russia, where he faces charges of espionage that could lead to a 20-year prison sentence. Prosecutors allege that Gershkovich gathered classified information under orders from the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency regarding a company involved in manufacturing tanks for Russia’s operations in Ukraine.
He was apprehended by FSB security service officers on March 29, 2023, at a steakhouse in Yekaterinburg and has since been held at Moscow’s Lefortovo prison. Both Gershkovich’s newspaper and the U.S. government refute the allegations, asserting that he was performing his duties as a journalist accredited by Russia’s Foreign Ministry.
According to RIA state-run news agency, the decision to advance the hearing date was made at the request of Gershkovich’s defense team. Although journalists were briefly permitted to film Gershkovich before the trial began in June, the upcoming hearing on Thursday will be closed to the media, as stated by the court service. The next opportunity for media access to Gershkovich will be during the verdict announcement.
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Closed trials are customary in Russia for cases involving espionage or treason concerning classified materials. The Kremlin has maintained that the handling of the case and trial logistics falls under the jurisdiction of the court, asserting that Gershkovich was caught “red-handed” without disclosing supporting evidence.
U.S. officials have repeatedly dismissed the charges as baseless, characterizing Gershkovich and another detained American, former Marine Paul Whelan, as potential bargaining chips for a prospective prisoner exchange. Washington contends that both men are unlawfully detained and is committed to securing their return home. President Vladimir Putin has indicated Russia’s openness to a prisoner exchange involving Gershkovich, noting that discussions with the United States have occurred but must remain confidential.
