Journalist Evan Gershkovich Sentenced to 16 Years in Russian Penal Colony for Espionage

US Journalist Evan Gershkovich Sentenced to 16 Years in Russian Penal Colony for Espionage

American journalist Evan Gershkovich has been convicted of espionage by a Russian court and handed a 16-year sentence in a high-security penal colony after a trial that has been criticized as a “sham” by his employer, family, and even the White House.

The Wall Street Journal reporter was arrested during a reporting trip in Yekaterinburg last March, accused by prosecutors of working for the CIA, a charge vehemently denied by Gershkovich, the WSJ, and the US government. This marks the first conviction of a US journalist for espionage in Russia since the end of the Cold War over 30 years ago.

Both sides have 15 days to appeal the verdict, according to the judge.

The publication’s publisher and editor in chief issued a joint statement expressing outrage at the “shameful sham conviction” and vowed to continue fighting for Gershkovich’s release. US President Joe Biden also condemned the verdict, stating that journalism is not a crime.

Many Western politicians have voiced their disapproval of the sentencing, with the EU and UK leaders criticizing Russia for punishing journalism with its politicized legal system.

The US government suspects that Russia is using Gershkovich as a bargaining chip for a possible prisoner swap, as talks of exchanges between the two countries have been ongoing.

The trial, set to last through August, concluded abruptly with the judge delivering the verdict sooner than expected. Prosecutors had initially sought an 18-year sentence for Gershkovich, accusing him of collecting classified information on a military facility in the Sverdlovsk region.

Gershkovich joins a list of high-profile US citizens detained in Russian prisons, with President Biden making their release a top priority.

The announcement has sparked international backlash and concerns over the state of press freedom in Russia, with calls for Gershkovich’s immediate release echoing worldwide.