Court sentences WSJ journalist Gershkovich to 16 years in a strict regime colony

The Sverdlovsk regional court has sentenced Evan Gershkovich, a journalist of the American newspaper Wall Street Journal, in the espionage case, a RIA Novosti correspondent reported from the courtroom.

“To recognize Evan Gershkovich Gershkovich guilty and to impose punishment in the form of imprisonment for a term of 16 years with serving the sentence in a strict regime colony,” the judge announced the decision.

The first hearing was held on June 26 in closed mode. Journalists were allowed only for protocol shooting, while the US Consul General Stuart Wilson and Vice-Consul Michael Darbinian came to the trial. The second hearing was to be held on August 13, but it was postponed to July 18 at the request of the lawyer. Amir Kotecha, the British Consul General in Ekaterinburg, came to the court, but he did not enter the courtroom due to the closed nature of the trial.

On Friday, July 19, during the debate of the parties, the prosecution requested 18 years in a strict regime colony for the journalist. Gershkovich himself did not admit guilt.

According to the investigation, in March 2023, the American, on the instructions of the CIA, collected in the Sverdlovsk region secret information about the activities of “Uralvagonzavod” on the production and repair of military equipment.

Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said at a press conference the previous day that the investigation had evidence that Gershkovich was involved in espionage activities, and Russian and U.S. intelligence agencies were in contact about the possibility of an exchange.

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