After more than a year in custody, the espionage trial against Gershkovich has begun. Many believe the accusations against the US reporter are fabricated. Nevertheless, he must expect to be convicted.
The trial of US reporter Evan Gershkovich has begun in a court in Yekaterinburg, Russia. Shortly after the charges were read out, the next day of the trial was announced for August 13. The Russian authorities accuse the Wall Street Journal correspondent of espionage: on behalf of the US foreign intelligence service CIA, he collected “secret information” about a facility where military equipment is manufactured and repaired. Gershkovich was arrested during a business trip in March 2023.
If convicted, he faces a prison sentence of up to 20 years. It is almost certain that he will be found guilty. The trial itself will take place behind closed doors. Shortly before the trial began, the media were allowed into the courtroom for a few minutes. The 32-year-old stood in a glass box with his head shaved, his arms folded and wearing a shirt.
Gershkovich as Moscow’s bargaining chip?
Gershkovich, his employer and the US government have always denied the espionage allegations. Today, the US embassy in Moscow also stated that Russia has not yet provided any evidence to substantiate the accusations. This case is not about the rule of law. The Kremlin is using Gershkovich, like other US citizens, to achieve political goals, it said in a statement published on the online service “X” shortly after the trial began.
In February, Russian President Vladimir Putin was open to releasing Gershkovich as part of a prisoner exchange. In this context, Putin also mentioned Vadim Krasikov, who is imprisoned in Germany and was convicted as the “Tiergarten murderer” – an explosive case, because the Berlin court is convinced that Krasikov committed the assassination on behalf of the Russian state.
Gershkovich was the first Western journalist to be arrested in Russia on espionage charges since the end of the Cold War. His arrest was also seen as a warning to foreign correspondents who continue to work in Russia despite the war against Ukraine.