A Russian court sentenced US journalist Evan Gershkovich to 16 years in prison on espionage charges on Friday, a verdict that Western governments and his employer have condemned as 'despicable', 'disgraceful', and a 'sham'. Gershkovich was convicted after only three court sessions in a closed-door trial in Yekaterinburg, where he was arrested during a reporting trip in March 2023.
Following the sentencing, US President Joe Biden stated that Gershkovich was 'targeted by the Russian government because he is a journalist and an American.' Biden added that the US is 'pushing hard for Evan's release and will continue to do so.' Both Washington and Moscow have acknowledged ongoing discussions about a potential prisoner swap.
Russia has historically maintained a policy of not negotiating prisoner exchanges until after convictions, suggesting that Friday's verdict could set the stage for a swap involving the 32-year-old journalist. US presidential candidate Donald Trump commented on his Truth Social platform, stating that 'Biden will never get him out, unless he pays a 'king's ransom.' Trump vowed to secure Gershkovich's release without compensation immediately after winning the election on November 5.
During the court session, Gershkovich appeared indifferent to the sentencing, standing in a glass defendants' cage wearing dark trousers and a T-shirt. He waved to his colleagues as he was led away. Judge Andrei Mineyev announced that Gershkovich would be sent to a 'strict regime colony,' known for its harsh conditions and stringent rules.
The Wall Street Journal correspondent, who pleaded not guilty, became the first journalist in Russia to be charged with spying since the Cold War. He has been in detention for nearly 16 months, with the US government and his employer asserting that the charges against him are fabricated. The Journal's publisher Almar Latour and editor-in-chief Emma Tucker described the conviction as 'disgraceful' and a 'sham,' noting that Gershkovich has been wrongfully detained for 478 days.
Washington believes Gershkovich is being held as a bargaining chip for the release of Russians convicted abroad. His trial progressed rapidly, with the prosecution and defense presenting their final arguments on Friday. In contrast, other similar cases in Russia have seen much slower progress.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the sentencing 'despicable,' highlighting Russia's disregard for media freedom. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock characterized the case as 'politically motivated,' reflecting President Vladimir Putin's fear of factual reporting. UN spokesman Farhan Haq expressed 'serious concerns' about the safety of journalists, emphasizing the need for a secure working environment without fear of reprisals.
Russian opposition figure Yulia Navalnaya denounced Gershkovich's 'unjust' conviction, calling for the immediate release of all individuals serving unjust sentences in Putin's prisons. The Kremlin has not provided public evidence to support the espionage allegations, claiming only that Gershkovich was caught 'red-handed' spying on a tank factory in the Urals region while working for the CIA.
The prosecutor alleged that Gershkovich's actions were characterized by 'careful measures of secrecy.' Tensions between the US and Russia remain high due to Moscow's military actions in Ukraine. Both countries have indicated openness to a prisoner swap, though no specific details have been provided.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov declined to speculate on the possibility of a prisoner swap when asked on Friday. Moscow's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov confirmed ongoing talks between US and Russian special services regarding potential prisoner exchanges, without identifying any specific individuals. Putin has hinted at a desire to secure the release of Vadim Krasikov, a Russian convicted in Germany for orchestrating an assassination.
Other US nationals detained in Russia include reporter Alsu Kurmasheva and ballerina Ksenia Karelina, both dual US-Russian citizens, and former US marine Paul Whelan, who is serving a 16-year sentence for espionage. The White House has advised US citizens in Russia to 'depart immediately' due to the risk of wrongful arrest.
Born in the US to Soviet émigrés and raised in New Jersey, Gershkovich had been reporting from Russia since 2017. Despite his prolonged detention in Moscow's isolated Lefortovo prison, he maintained hope through handwritten letters to friends and family.
