Evan Gershkovich sentenced to 16 years in Russian prison
by Brad Dress - 07/19/24 8:35 AM ET
Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich was sentenced on Friday to 16 years in prison, according to Russian state media.
Gershkovich was sentenced in a closed-door trial in the Russian city of Yekaterinburg in a case that the U.S., press freedom groups and his employer have all called a sham trial with fabricated charges.
Earlier on Friday, Gershkovich had pleaded not guilty to espionage charges. Russian prosecutors had originally requested an 18-year sentence for the reporter, Russian state-run media reported.
The sentencing was quickly condemned by Gershkovich’s employers, Wall Street Journal Publisher Almar Latour and Wall Street Journal Editor in Chief Emma Tucker.
“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,” they said in a joint statement. “We will continue to do everything possible to press for Evan’s release and to support his family. Journalism is not a crime, and we will not rest until he’s released. This must end now.”
more
https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/4781446-russian-trial-gershkovich-sentenced/
