Russia sentences Evan Gershkovich to 16 years for espionage

Evan Gershkovich, a Wall Street Journal reporter arrested on espionage charges in Russia, has been sentenced to 16 years in a high-security prison for espionage by a Yekaterinburg court on Friday.

The court announced the verdict following a three-day closed trial that concluded just weeks after Gershkovich’s initial appearance. The 32-year-old was convicted of spying on a Russian defense contractor for the CIA, a claim that lacks public evidence.

President Joe Biden and Gershkovich’s employer have criticized the verdict as a sham and are calling for his immediate release. The swift progression of the trial raises concerns about potential prisoner swap negotiations between Russia and the US. Gershkovich’s defense has 15 days to appeal the verdict.

Meanwhile, Russian officials have hinted at negotiations involving potential exchanges, with President Vladimir Putin previously mentioning a swap with Vadim Krasikov, a Russian criminal held in Germany.

Gershkovich’s sentencing adds to the list of Americans facing harsh penalties in Russia.

Marine veteran Paul Whelan remains detained on espionage charges, and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty editor Alsu Kurmasheva is also held in Russia. In June, Yuri Malev, a dual US-Russian citizen, was sentenced to 3.5 years for criticizing Russia’s leadership and the Ukraine war.

The Russian judicial system is known for political repression, with only about 0.3% of criminal trials ending in acquittal in 2023.