Russia - Espionage trial against US reporter Gershkovich begins
In Russia, the trial against US reporter Evan Gershkovich, who has been in custody for over a year, began in Yekaterinburg, at the Ural Mountains. The first hearing took place on a Wednesday, according to Russian agencies, behind closed doors.
Media were only allowed to photograph Gershkovich in a glass cage during the trial's commencement. The hearing lasted several hours, and the second session was postponed to August 13. Further trial days were also scheduled to take place behind closed doors.
The Charge
According to the Russian General Prosecutor's Office, Gershkovich allegedly collected secret information on behalf of the US intelligence service, CIA. It was about the production and repair of military equipment at the Uralvagonzavod factory in Nizhny Tagil. Gershkovich reportedly followed all the rules of conspiracy in his illicit activities, it was stated. The March 2023 arrest of Gershkovich and his employer, the "Wall Street Journal," have denied the allegations.
The editor-in-chief of the newspaper, Emma Tucker, wrote in a comment on the trial's start: "It's not even worth calling it a trial for Evan, it's an extension of this farce of a justice system that's been going on for far too long." The Kremlin is going after independent reporting with all its might and has "practically made journalism a crime."
Russia neither acknowledges the presumption of innocence for the US reporter nor have any evidence been presented. "This false accusation of espionage will inevitably lead to an unjust conviction of an innocent man," Tucker wrote further. Gershkovich had done good work. Now, he faced up to 20 years in prison. The "Wall Street Journal" will continue to tell Evans' story as long as he cannot tell it himself.
US Government: The accusation lacks any foundation
The US government also reacted strongly to the unproven allegations. "The accusation lacks any foundation," said John Kirby, spokesperson for the US State Department, in Washington. "Journalism is not a crime. The allegations against him are false, and the Russian government knows they are false. He should be released immediately."
Deputy Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov dismissed the allegations as "counterproductive attempts to politicize the trial." If Washington was genuinely concerned about Gershkovich's fate, the US Administration should stop loudly criticizing and instead "pay serious attention to the signals they receive through appropriate channels."
The Kremlin did not want to comment on the trial or the alleged ongoing negotiations for a prisoner swap involving Gershkovich. Such topics could only be resolved quietly, said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on a Wednesday. The detention of US citizens in Russia often leads to complex negotiations between Moscow and Washington over a release or exchange. Despite the tense Russian-American relations, there have been prisoner exchanges in the past.
- Evan Gershkovich, a US reporter, is currently on trial in Russia for allegedly collecting secret information on behalf of the CIA, his employer.
- The trial began in Yekaterinburg at the Ural Mountains, with the first hearing taking place behind closed doors.
- Gershkovich is accused of espionage, a charge the "Wall Street Journal," his employer, denies.
- The Kremlin's aggressive stance towards independent reporting has been criticized by Emma Tucker, the editor-in-chief of the "Wall Street Journal."
- Gershkovich faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted, a potential sentence that has been condemned by the US government.
- John Kirby, spokesperson for the US State Department, stated that the accusations lack foundation and called for Gershkovich's immediate release.
- Deputy Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov dismissed the allegations as politicized, urging the US to address the issue through private channels.
- The Kremlin has been silent on ongoing negotiations for a potential prisoner swap involving Gershkovich, stating that such matters should be handled discreetly.
- Historically, the detention of US citizens in Russia has led to complex negotiations between Moscow and Washington, with past prisoner exchanges demonstrating possible resolution in tense relations.
