The closed-door trial of American journalist Evan Gershkovich, accused of espionage, has commenced in Yekaterinburg, Russia.
Irina Toshcheva, the press secretary for Sverdlovsk Regional Court, confirmed the trial’s start, stating, “The judge has entered the hall. The process has started.”
Gershkovich, 32, a Wall Street Journal reporter, was arrested 15 months ago on charges of collecting secret information for the US Central Intelligence Agency about a Russian tank manufacturer involved in the Ukraine war.
Despite the Kremlin’s claim of catching him “red-handed,” no public evidence has been provided. If convicted, Gershkovich faces up to 20 years in prison. He has denied all allegations.
US President Joe Biden hailed Evan Gershkovich as courageous for his reporting in Russia
During the trial, Gershkovich was seen standing in a glass box with a shaved head, wearing an open-necked shirt and arms folded.
The proceedings are closed to the media, friends, family, and US embassy staff, a common practice in Russian espionage and treason trials.
The US State Department dismissed the charges as lacking credibility, and the Wall Street Journal insisted he was arrested for “simply doing his job.”
Despite his circumstances, Gershkovich has remained visibly cheerful during previous hearings.
The case has exacerbated the already tense relations between Moscow and Washington, reminiscent of the Cold War era.
President Vladimir Putin has suggested the possibility of a prisoner exchange involving Gershkovich, but emphasized that discussions must remain confidential.
The US has condemned what it calls Russia’s “hostage diplomacy,” designating Gershkovich and another American detainee, Paul Whelan, as “wrongfully detained.” President Joe Biden has vowed to work daily for Gershkovich’s release, praising his courage in reporting from Russia.
Gershkovich’s parents, who fled the Soviet Union in the 1970s, expressed their faith in a personal promise from President Biden to secure their son’s freedom. “We know that he is innocent of what he is being accused of,” said his father, Mikhail Gershkovich.
Raised in New Jersey and fluent in Russian, Gershkovich has reported from Russia for six years, covering significant stories for The Moscow Times, AFP, and the Wall Street Journal, particularly focusing on the impact of the Ukraine conflict on ordinary Russians.
Supporters have launched a major campaign for his release, lauding his resilience. His family remains strong, with his mother, Ella Milman, noting his efforts to maintain well-being through exercise, meditation, and reading while detained.
The trial continues amidst a backdrop of ongoing geopolitical tensions and calls for Gershkovich’s release.
