Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich was sentenced to 16 years in a high-security penal colony on Friday in Russia after being tried for espionage under fabricated charges. According to experts, now that there’s an actual verdict, it may be possible for to enact a prisoner exchange between the U.S. and Russia.
Breaking News: A Russian court sentenced Evan Gershkovich, a reporter for The Wall Street Journal, to 16 years in a high-security penal colony, state media reported. https://t.co/YyZ9OeQFL4 pic.twitter.com/ECotguYlAa
— The New York Times (@nytimes) July 19, 2024
From the New York Times:
The harsh sentence represented the first espionage conviction of a Western reporter in modern Russia. But the expedited nature of the case suggested that Moscow might be ready to trade Mr. Gershkovich.
The proceedings were recently moved up by more than three weeks, and the court concluded the case, a process that usually takes months, in a matter of weeks, with only three hearings.
The court said in a statement that Mr. Gershkovich did not admit guilt, but said “the totality of the evidence presented to the court was sufficient to render a guilty verdict.”
At no time during the case, however, did prosecutors publicly provide any evidence to back up the charge, and the trial was held behind closed doors.
Gershkovich was arrested in Russia on these sham charges nearly 16 months ago. Related: WNBA Star Brittney Griner Held In Russia On Drug Charges The Times notes that, in Russia, virtually everyone charged with a crime is found guilty in court. Read the full report here.
Today, Evan Gershkovich received a sentence of 16 years in a Russian prison, despite having committed no crime.
I will not mince words: he was targeted by the Russian government because he is a journalist and an American. — President Biden (@POTUS) July 19, 2024
From the very first day of my Administration, I have been committed to seeking the release and safe return of all Americans wrongfully detained and held hostage abroad.
I won’t rest until Evan Gershkovich and Paul Whelan are in the arms of their families. — President Biden (@POTUS) July 19, 2024
A court in Yekaterinburg has convicted Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich of espionage and sentenced him to 16 years in a high security penal colony. The trial has been dismissed as a ‘sham’ by US officials & the WSJ. pic.twitter.com/1tSodId4pR
— Steve Rosenberg (@BBCSteveR) July 19, 2024
Discover more from The Randy Report
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.