A Russian court held a closed-door trial on Wednesday for Evan Gershkovich, an American journalist accused of spying. The prosecution claims Gershkovich, a reporter for the Wall Street Journal, obtained top-secret information about a company producing tanks for Russia’s conflict in Ukraine at the behest of the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). If found guilty, he could face a 20-year prison sentence.
Gershkovich, his newspaper, and the US government vehemently deny the accusations, asserting that he was simply conducting his journalistic duties authorized by Russia’s Foreign Ministry. The US embassy in Moscow issued a statement, calling for Gershkovich’s immediate release, stating, “His case is not about evidence, procedural norms, or the rule of law. It is about the Kremlin using American citizens to achieve its political objectives.”
After several hours of closed proceedings, the court announced the next session would take place on August 13, suggesting the case will continue for months. The reason for this extended delay was not disclosed.
Journalists were permitted to briefly film Gershkovich, who appeared in a glass box, before the trial commenced. The 32-year-old smiled faintly and nodded at recognized colleagues. Prosecutor Mikael Ozdoyev later summarized the charges for reporters.
“The investigation established and documented that… Gershkovich, on instructions from the CIA, in September 2023, in the Sverdlovsk region, collected secret information about the activities of a defence enterprise regarding the production and repair of military equipment,” Ozdoyev said. He added, “Gershkovich carried out the illegal actions while observing painstaking conspiratorial measures.”
Ozdoyev subsequently acknowledged a mistake, stating the alleged offense actually occurred in March 2023 – the month Gershkovich was arrested.
