Evan Gershkovich, a 32-year-old American journalist, has been sentenced to 16 years in prison by a Russian court after being found guilty of espionage charges.
The verdict and sentencing were announced by the court in Yekaterinburg on Friday afternoon, July 19.
Gershkovich was initially arrested in March while on a reporting assignment in Yekaterinburg, located approximately 1,600km (1,000 miles) east of Moscow, by Russian security services. He was accused of spying for the CIA, although Russian authorities did not provide public evidence to substantiate their claims.
This case marks the first instance of a US journalist being convicted of espionage in Russia since the end of the Cold War more than 30 years ago.
Gershkovich, The Wall Street Journal (WSJ), and US officials have vehemently denied the accusations made by Russian prosecutors.
In a statement following Friday’s sentencing, Gershkovich’s employer said: “This disgraceful, sham conviction comes after Evan has spent 478 days in prison, wrongfully detained, away from his family and friends, prevented from reporting, all for doing his job as a journalist.
“We will continue to do everything possible to press for Evan’s release and to support his family,” the statement from Dow Jones CEO and Wall Street Journal Publisher Almar Latour and Wall Street Journal Editor in Chief Emma Tucker continued.
“Journalism is not a crime, and we will not rest until he’s released. This must end now,” it added.
Russia faces criticism from US and Western officials for allegedly using jailed foreigners, including Evan Gershkovich, as bargaining chips.
