Russia sentences American journalist to 16 years in prison on "espionage" charges

A Russian court in the city of Yekaterinburg has sentenced Wall Street Journal journalist Evan Gershkovich to 16 years in prison following a closed-door trial on "espionage" charges.

Source: Radio Liberty

Details: The prosecution had requested an 18-year prison sentence for Gershkovich.

Radio Liberty noted that Gershkovich is the first American journalist to be charged with espionage in Russia since the Soviet era.

Russian investigators claimed that the American journalist had been collecting intelligence about Uralvagonzavod, which manufactures and repairs military equipment, on behalf of the US Central Intelligence Agency. However, they did not present public evidence of espionage. Gershkovich spent 15 months in pre-trial detention and did not plead guilty.

US officials and The Wall Street Journal termed the case a fabrication. The US Department of State has designated Gershkovich as "unlawfully detained".

Background:

• On 27 June, Wall Street Journal journalist Evan Gershkovich's trial over "espionage" began in the Sverdlovsk Oblast Court of Yekaterinburg. The hearing was being held behind closed doors.

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