June 26, 2024
US journalist Gershkovich appears before closed Russian court
US journalist Evan Gershkovich faced a closed trial in Yekaterinburg, Russia, on espionage charges. The 32-year-old, accused of spying on a Russian tank company, could receive a lengthy prison sentence. Despite denying the allegations, Gershkovich remains embroiled in a high-profile case that has strained relations between the US and Russia.
Standing in a glass box during the trial, Gershkovich is the first Western journalist arrested on espionage charges in post-Soviet Russia. The US accuses Russia of “hostage diplomacy” while Russian President Vladimir Putin suggests a potential prisoner exchange involving Gershkovich.
The journalist, a US-born son of Soviet immigrants, has been held in Lefortovo prison since 2023. Reports indicate that contacts between the US and Russia have taken place regarding Gershkovich’s case. Amid international tensions, Gershkovich’s trial underscores the ongoing challenges between the two nations.