American journalist Gershkovich is accused of engaging in espionage activity.
American journalist from the "Wall Street Journal," Evan Gershkovich, has been under Russian custody in Yekaterinburg, Urals, for well over a year. It is expected that he'll face trial shortly, as he is accused of spying in the arms industry.
The Russian legal system has brought charges against Gershkovich over a year since his detainment, accusing him of espionage. The trial against the "Wall Street Journal's" correspondent is slated to happen in Yekaterinburg, Urals, as per the Moscow-based Russian General Prosecutor's Office. The 32-year-old reporter has refuted the accusations during questioning.
Interfax news agency spokesperson, Andrey Ivanov, revealed that Gershkovich was gathering confidential information on behalf of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) of the United States. The information focused on the manufacturing and maintenance of military equipment at the Uralvagonzavod factory in Nizhny Tagil, which is located in the Urals region. Gershkovich followed covert procedures during his underhanded actions, according to Ivanov.
Gershkovich Labeled as Putin's Captive
The US government retaliated strongly. "The allegations are unfounded," stated the US State Department's spokesperson, Matthew Miller, when asked about the matter in Washington. "Journalism isn't a crime. The claims made against him are false, and the Russian government understands that they are false. He ought to be released right away."
Gershkovich was taken into custody towards the end of March 2023 while on a fact-finding mission to Yekaterinburg. Numerous media organizations have urged his release. US President Joe Biden vowed to interfere.
Gershkovich is considered a pawn, a person whom Moscow can utilize to put pressure on the US. The arrest of the journalist was also viewed as a message to other foreign correspondents who persist in working in Russia amidst the ongoing war against Ukraine. The trial date hasn't been disclosed. Held in Yekaterinburg, two and a half hours east of Moscow, the trial might make observing the proceedings more challenging.
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Following the accusations of espionage against American journalist Evan Gershkovich, there have been calls for justice from the USA. The US State Department firmly believes that journalism should not be criminalized and has demanded Gershkovich's immediate release, citing the falseness of the espionage charges.
The ongoing trial of Gershkovich, a Wall Street Journal correspondent, has sparked concerns about freedom of the press, with many considering his detainment as an attempt to suppress journalistic activities, a practice typically associated with authoritarian regimes like Russia.
