Moscow: A Russian court has found U.S. reporter Evan Gershkovich guilty of espionage and sentenced him to 16 years in a maximum-security penal colony. The verdict has been condemned by his employer, The Wall Street Journal, as “a disgraceful sham conviction.”
Gershkovich, a 32-year-old American journalist, denied the allegations against him. He was arrested last year in Yekaterinburg and became the first U.S. journalist charged with spying in Russia since the Cold War.
Court Proceedings and Verdict
In a video of the hearing, Gershkovich appeared in a glass cage, listening to the verdict being read in rapid-fire legalese for nearly four minutes. When asked by the judge if he had any questions, Gershkovich replied, “No” in Russian. Judge Andrei Mineyev stated that the time Gershkovich had already served since his arrest nearly 16 months ago would count towards the 16-year sentence. The judge also ordered the destruction of Gershkovich’s mobile phone and paper notebook. The defense has 15 days to appeal the decision.
Reactions and Statements
The White House and State Department have yet to comment on the verdict. The Wall Street Journal issued a statement saying, “This disgraceful, sham conviction comes after Evan has spent 478 days in prison, wrongfully detained, away from his family and friends, prevented from reporting, all for doing his job as a journalist. We will continue to do everything possible to press for Evan’s release and to support his family. Journalism is not a crime, and we will not rest until he’s released. This must end now.”
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Speculations of a Prisoner Exchange
The trial’s unusual speed and the closed-door proceedings have fueled speculation about a possible U.S.-Russia prisoner exchange, potentially involving Gershkovich and other Americans detained in Russia. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov declined to comment on the possibility of such an exchange.
Russian prosecutors accused Gershkovich of gathering secret information on behalf of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency about a company manufacturing tanks for Russia’s war in Ukraine. Gershkovich and his employer denied these allegations. He was arrested by FSB security officers on March 29, 2023, at a steakhouse in Yekaterinburg and has been held in Moscow’s Lefortovo prison since.
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U.S. Government’s Response
State Department Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel stated that Washington is seeking the release of Gershkovich and another jailed American, former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan, as soon as possible. The U.S. government has repeatedly accused Russia of using Gershkovich and Whelan as bargaining chips for a possible prisoner exchange. President Vladimir Putin has indicated that Russia is open to a prisoner exchange involving Gershkovich and that contacts with the United States have occurred but must remain confidential.
Historical Context
Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Moscow and Washington have conducted one high-profile prisoner swap: Russia released basketball star Brittney Griner, who was held for smuggling cannabis, in exchange for arms dealer Viktor Bout, who was jailed in the U.S. for terrorism-related offenses.
