Russian Espionage Trial: American Journalist Evan Gershkovich’s Case to Begin June 26
By Fiona Nanna, ForeMedia News
3 minutes read. Updated 2:00PM GMT Mon, June 17, 2024
US journalist Evan Gershkovich will face espionage charges in a closed-door trial set for June 26 in Russia’s Urals city of Yekaterinburg. The Wall Street Journalreporter has been held in Moscow’s Lefortovo prison since his arrest in March 2023 during a reporting trip.
Gershkovich is the first Western journalist to be arrested on spying charges in Russia since the Soviet era. Russian authorities accuse him of collecting classified information about tank manufacturer Uralvagonzavod, a claim the US government and his employer vehemently deny. Last week, Russia’s prosecutor general labeled Gershkovich a CIA operative, but US officials dismissed the charges as entirely without merit.
The Sverdlovsk regional court’s statement on Monday confirmed the trial date and specified that proceedings would be conducted privately. If convicted, the 32-year-old journalist could face up to 20 years in prison. Gershkovich, his family, and his colleagues insist that he was simply fulfilling his journalistic duties.
“The charges against Evan are false and baseless,” stated Emma Tucker, chief editor of The Wall Street Journal. “Russia’s decision to proceed with this sham trial is both disappointing and outrageous.”
The US government has classified Gershkovich as “wrongfully detained,” a status that underscores Washington’s view of him as a political pawn. US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller reiterated calls for his immediate release, emphasizing the lack of credible evidence in the charges brought against him.
President Vladimir Putin hinted at the possibility of a prisoner exchange for Gershkovich in February, suggesting a deal could involve the release of a Russian convicted in Germany for the murder of a Chechen dissident. While Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed ongoing negotiations, he stressed the need for discretion in these discussions.
Gershkovich shares his Lefortovo prison cell with another inmate. Known for his friendly nature, he is a respected member of the Moscow press corps. Before joining The Wall Street Journal, he worked with Agence France-Presse. His parents, Soviet émigrés, raised him in the United States, fostering a deep connection to both his American and Russian roots.
The situation underscores broader tensions between Russia and the United States, particularly concerning the detention of American citizens. Another US journalist, Alsu Kurmasheva, faces charges for not registering as a “foreign agent,” while former US Marine Paul Whelan remains imprisoned on espionage charges since 2018.
For ongoing coverage and analysis of this developing story, visit The Wall Street Journal and BBC News.
