Russia begins the covert trial of American journalist Gershkovich for espionage charges

The Russian city of Yekaterinburg had a closed-door trial for American journalist Evan Gershkovich on Wednesday. He is accused of espionage and could receive a sentence of up to 20 years in prison.

According to the prosecution, the Wall Street Journal reporter obtained top-secret material regarding a company that produces tanks for Russia’s conflict in Ukraine at the US Central Intelligence Agency’s request.

Rejecting the accusations, Gershkovich, his publication, and the US government all assert that he was simply carrying out his duties as a reporter authorized by the Foreign Ministry to operate in Russia.

Editor-in-chief of the Wall Street Journal Emma Tucker wrote to readers, “This bogus accusation of espionage will inevitably lead to a bogus conviction for an innocent man.”

“His case is not about evidence, procedural norms, or the rule of law,” the U.S. embassy stated in a statement. It has to do with the way the Kremlin uses Americans to further its political goals.”

Regarding the trial’s opening, the Kremlin remained silent. “We know that this topic is very, very resonant in the United States, but it is not so resonant within our country,” spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said to reporters.

The court announced that the next hearing would be held on August 13 following many hours of closed sessions, indicating that the case will likely drag on for months.

Before the trial began, journalists had a limited opportunity to video the 32-year-old; however, they are not permitted to watch the trial.

Unlike her prior court appearances, the reporter had shaved head hair and was dressed in an open-necked shirt. He acknowledged familiar coworkers with a smile and a nod.

Mikael Ozdoyev, the prosecutor, gave a brief statement to the media outlining the accusations. “Gershkovich carried out the illegal actions while observing painstaking conspiratorial measures,” he stated.

Trial of a US reporter conducted in secret

In Russia, closed trials are common for cases of suspected treason or espionage involving sensitive information. Non-disclosure agreements are signed by the attorneys, prohibiting any information about Gershkovich’s purported behavior and defense strategy from becoming public.

The Kremlin claims that the case and the terms of the trial belong in court, although it has claimed that Gershkovich was caught “red-handed” without providing any supporting documentation.

He and other American detainees in Russia are embroiled in the most serious crisis to affect Moscow and Washington in almost 60 years, set against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine.

President Vladimir Putin has stated that talks with the United States have occurred but must remain confidential and that Russia is amenable to a prisoner exchange involving Gershkovich.

The United States has accused Russia of attempting to use Paul Whelan and Gershkovich, two more American prisoners, as negotiating chips. It declares that both men have been “wrongfully detained” and pledges to return them home.

The Russian government, according to the U.S. Embassy, has not offered proof for Gershkovich’s accusations or an explanation of why his journalistic activities were illegal.

Gershovich purportedly conducted research on tank makers.

The trial is being held in Yekaterinburg, which is located 1,400 kilometers (900 miles) east of Moscow. On March 29, 2023, when Gershkovich was dining at a steakhouse, he was taken into custody by FSB security service agents. He was imprisoned in Moscow’s Lefortovo prison for about sixteen months.

Regarding his reporting trip to the Urals and the specific claim that he was looking for information on Uralvagonzavod, a supplier of tanks for Russia’s war in Ukraine, The Wall Street Journal has refrained from commenting.

“He was there as an accredited journalist, doing his job,” Wall Street Journal publisher Almar Latour said over the phone with Reuters prior to the trial.

After Putin’s army entered Ukraine in February 2022 and Moscow implemented legislation imposing lengthy prison terms for “discrediting” the armed forces or disseminating “fake news” about them, numerous Western news companies withdrew their employees from Russia.

Gershkovich was among the few Western reporters who persisted in covering events from within Russia, along with reporters from Reuters.

In the initial weeks following his detention, Russia declared that such swap could only occur following a trial. On Wednesday, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov restated that Moscow would not discuss talks with the United States in public and that “silence” was necessary in order to reach a potential agreement.