Spy Trial of US Journalist Evan Gershkovich Set to Begin in Russia
For nearly 15 months, Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich has been held in a Moscow jail, awaiting trial. His trial is now set to begin in the city of Yekaterinburg, far from the Russian capital, where he was originally arrested while on a reporting trip.
Prosecutors allege that Gershkovich was collecting classified information about a Russian tank manufacturer near Yekaterinburg on behalf of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Both Gershkovich, his employer, and the US government vehemently deny these charges, branding the accusations as false. If convicted of espionage, Gershkovich could face up to 20 years in prison.
Deborah Ball, Deputy World Coverage Chief for Europe, Middle East, and Africa at the Wall Street Journal, condemned the trial as a “bogus process” and “outrageous and outlandish.” She expressed concerns about the lack of due process, noting that the trial would be conducted behind closed doors. Ball highlighted Russia’s extremely low acquittal rate of less than 1%, indicating a grim outlook for Gershkovich’s chances of being cleared of the charges.
On the streets of Yekaterinburg, there is little visible sign of the high-stakes drama that began here on March 29, 2023, when Gershkovich was taken into custody. The trial underscores ongoing tensions between Russia and the United States, with Gershkovich’s fate becoming a focal point in the broader geopolitical conflict.