US journalist Evan Gershkovich’s espionage trial resumed in Russia, sparking condemnation as a sham by his employer and the White House. Detained in March 2023 in Yekaterinburg, he faces up to 20 years in prison if found guilty.
The closed-door trial restarted in Yekaterinburg’s Sverdlovsk Regional Court following a request by his defense team. While Moscow and Washington hinted at a possible exchange, no concrete plans have been revealed. Allegations claim Gershkovich was spying for the CIA on a Russian tank maker, Uralvagonzavod.
A UN expert panel declared his detention arbitrary, with both Washington and the Kremlin engaging in a war of words over the case. Gershkovich, a seasoned journalist with vast Russia experience, continued working despite escalating tensions.
In a campaign to free him, his mother expressed his resilience during the 15-month detention in Moscow’s Lefortovo prison. The White House advised US citizens in Russia to leave promptly, warning of potential unjust incarceration.