In Russia, the Sverdlovsk regional court sentenced American journalist Evan Gershkovich to 16 years in prison in a case of espionage, UNN reports with reference to Mediazone.
The prosecutor demanded 18 years. Only two hearings were held in Gershkovich's case. They were held behind closed doors.
According to the Russian Federal Security Service, Gershkovich "on behalf of the CIA" under the guise of journalistic activity collected information about the work of the defense enterprise Uralvagonzavod, which manufactures and repairs military equipment.
The American journalist was detained in March 2023 in Yekaterinburg, shortly after he visited Nizhny Tagil, where Uralvagonzavod is located. Hershkovich was transferred to Moscow and placed in the Lefortovo Detention Center.
Colleagues of the journalist from the Wall Street Journal insisted on his innocence. Several employees of the American newspaper shaved their heads in solidarity with Gershkovich. Journalists from independent Russian publications also spoke out in support of the correspondent and demanded his release.
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The US State Department has recognized Evan Gershkovich as "unlawfully detained". The newspaper suggests that the Russian authorities may want to use the American journalist for an exchange with one of the Russian prisoners in the United States.