American journalist faces espionage trial in Russia amid tensions
American journalist Evan Gershkovich, accused of espionage in Russia, was transported to another hearing on Thursday, according to a court in Yekaterinburg. The AP agency noted that the trial of the Wall Street Journal reporter, detained in spring 2023, is being held behind closed doors.
Gershkovich is the first American journalist accused of espionage in Russia since the Cold War. The reporter, the Wall Street Journal editorial team, and the US authorities maintain that he is innocent and was performing his regular professional duties as a correspondent formally accredited by the Russian Foreign Ministry.
The prosecution, however, claims that the reporter "was collecting in March 2023, at the behest of the CIA, secret information regarding production carried out at Uralvagonzavod plants and the repair of military equipment."
He was also accused of "acting illegally, using clandestine methods." The American administration deemed the reporter's detention an "unlawful arrest" and demanded his release.
The call for the journalist's release, made last year by the US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield, was signed by representatives of over 40 countries. They demanded the release of people held for political reasons and "an end to draconian repression against freedom of expression, including those aimed at media representatives," noted PAP.
So far, no evidence has been presented to confirm that the 32-year-old journalist, the son of immigrants from the USSR, was a spy.
Sergey Lavrov on "irrefutable evidence"
On Wednesday, the head of the Russian foreign ministry Sergey Lavrov declared that Moscow has "irrefutable evidence" of the reporter's guilt. During a press conference in New York, the minister asserted that the trial "has nothing to do with attacks on (the freedom of) journalists."
He also assured that the Russian side advocates freedom of speech. At the same time, he blamed American journalists for hindering Moscow's talks with Washington concerning the potential exchange of the reporter. He stated that confidential negotiations on this matter are still ongoing.
Evan was never employed by the United States government. Evan is not a spy. Journalism is not a crime. And above all, Evan should never have been detained - said John Kirby, White House National Security Council spokesman, last month.
Espionage in Russia is punishable by up to 20 years in prison.
It is worth recalling that at the end of 2023, the US State Department reported that it had made an exchange offer to Moscow, which the Kremlin rejected. The Russian Foreign Ministry announced that the potential exchange of the journalist could be considered only after the court's verdict is announced.
