On Friday, a Russian court convicted U.S. journalist Evan Gershkovich of espionage, sentencing him to 16 years in a high-security penal colony. His employer, the Wall Street Journal, denounced the verdict as a “disgraceful sham conviction.” Gershkovich, aged 32, maintained his innocence throughout the trial in Yekaterinburg, where he faced charges of attempting to collect classified information about a tank factory.
The incident marked the first accusation of spying against a U.S. journalist in Russia since the Cold War, prompting an exodus of Western journalists from Moscow after his arrest in March 2023. U.S. President Joe Biden has asserted Gershkovich’s innocence, emphasizing that he has been wrongfully detained and advocating vigorously for his release.
During the courtroom proceedings, Gershkovich, dressed casually, stood in a glass enclosure, listening to the rapid legal proceedings. When questioned by Judge Andrei Mineyev, he simply responded, “Nyet.” Mineyev acknowledged the time Gershkovich had already served since his capture would be credited towards his sentence and ordered the destruction of Gershkovich’s personal effects, such as his mobile phone and notebook.
The Wall Street Journal strongly criticized the conviction, vowing to continue efforts to secure Gershkovich’s release. The swift trial, held largely behind closed doors, fueled speculation about a possible U.S.-Russia prisoner exchange.
The case has drawn international attention, with high-profile figures and institutions, including U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Mark Warner, expressing their outrage and determination to work towards Gershkovich’s release. Meanwhile, Gershkovich has tried to remain positive, engaging with Russian literature during his imprisonment.
