Russian prosecutors alleged that Evan Gershkovich had gathered secret information on the orders of the CIA about a company that manufactures tanks for Moscow's war in Ukraine, allegations he and his employer denied.
Evan Gershkovich , 32, was arrested in Russia in March 2023 while working as a reporter for The Wall Street Journal .
Espionage cases often take months to handle and the unusual speed at which his trial was held behind closed doors has stoked speculation that a long-discussed US-Russia prisoner exchange deal may be in the offing. Earlier on Friday, the court hearing the case unexpectedly said it would pronounce its verdict within hours after state prosecutors demanded he be jailed for 18 years for spying. The maximum sentence for the crime he is accused of is 20 years.Gershkovich, his newspaper and the US government all reject the allegations against him, and say he was merely doing his job as a reporter accredited by the Foreign Ministry to work in Russia.
The Kremlin said the case and the trial arrangements were matters for the court. However, the Kremlin has stated in the past — without publishing evidence — that Gershkovich was caught spying "red-handed".
Wall Street Journal Spying Espionage Trial Court Russia Yekaterinburg
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Russia starts closed-door espionage trial for Wall Street Journal reporter Evan GershkovichProsecutors say the Wall Street Journal reporter gathered secret information on the orders of the US Central Intelligence Agency about a company that manufactures tanks for Russia's war in Ukraine. If convicted, he faces a sentence of up to 20 years.
Read more »
Espionage trial of journalist Evan Gershkovich begins in RussiaSarah Ferguson presents Australia's premier daily current affairs program, delivering agenda-setting public affairs journalism and interviews that hold the powerful to account. Plus political analysis from Laura Tingle.
Read more »
Reporter Evan Gershkovich goes on trial in Russia on specious espionage chargesThe American-born son of immigrants from the USSR is the first Western journalist arrested on espionage charges in post-Soviet Russia.
Read more »
Reporter Evan Gershkovich goes on trial in Russia on specious espionage chargesRussia has signalled the possibility of a prisoner swap involving the American but it says a verdict would have to come first.
Read more »
Reporter Evan Gershkovich goes on trial in Russia on specious espionage chargesRussia has signalled the possibility of a prisoner swap involving the American but it says a verdict would have to come first.
Read more »
US journalist Evan Gershkovich appears before start of closed trial in RussiaWall Street Journal reporter accused of espionage for CIA and faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted
Read more »