American journalist Evan Gershkovich sentenced to 16 years in prison in Russia

Brussels – The Russian court in Yekaterinburg sentenced Evan Gershkovich, a US journalist accused of espionage by the Kremlin, to 16 years in prison. The last time an American journalist was behind bars in Russia was 1986; there was still the Berlin Wall and the division of the world into two blocs. Firm condemnation from the EU: “Russia uses its politicized legal system to punish journalism,” commented EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell.

Gershkovich had been detained by Russian intelligence in March 2023 while trying to reconstruct some operations of the parastatal military group Wagner. Since then, he has been held in pre-trial detention in Moscow’s Lefortovo prison. Today (July 19), the trial, strictly behind closed doors, found the Wall Street Journal correspondent in Russia guilty.

“The antithesis of justice,” called it Roberta Metsola, freshly reappointed President of the European Parliament. “A farce and politically motivated trial,” she added. According to the Russian judiciary, Gershkovich allegedly “gathered secret information” on behalf of the CIA. However, no evidence was presented in support of the allegations, and the US government and the Wall Street Journal firmly rejected them.

According to the White House and the New York newspaper, the 32-year-old journalist and many other citizens of Western countries imprisoned in Russia are being used by the Kremlin as leverage to force governments in exchange for Russian detainees. Joe Biden’s administration said it has been in talks with Moscow for over a year to broker a deal.

The EU strongly condemns the 16-year prison sentence for @evangershkovich.
Russia uses its politicised legal system to punish journalism.
The EU calls to #FreeEvan and all other political prisoners.
– Josep Borrell Fontelles (@JosepBorrellF) July 19, 2024