YEKATERINBURG: US journalist Evan Gershkovich went on trial behind closed doors Wednesday in the Russian city of Yekaterinburg, where he faces charges of espionage and a likely sentence of up to 20 years in prison.
Prosecutors say the Wall Street Journal reporter gathered secret information on the orders of the US’ CIA about a company that manufactures tanks for Russia‘s war in Ukraine.Gershkovich, his newspaper and the US govt all reject the allegations and say that he was just doing his job as a reporter accredited by the foreign ministry to work in Russia. The Kremlin declined to comment.
After several hours of closed proceedings, the court said the next session would take place on Aug 13.