In a setback to Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, the Russian prosecutor’s office announced Thursday he will stand trial on espionage charges, officially ending any future pre-detention appeals.
“The Prosecutor General’s Office of the Russian Federation has approved an indictment in the criminal case against US citizen Evan Gershkovich,” the office said in a statement. “The criminal case has been sent to the Sverdlovsk Regional Court for consideration on the merits.”
It continued, “The investigation established and documented that the American journalist of The Wall Street Journal, Gershkovich, on the instructions of the CIA in March 2023, collected secret information in the Sverdlovsk region about the activities of the defense enterprise JSC NPK Uralvagonzavod for the production and repair of military equipment.”
Gershkovich has denied he was involved in any espionage and the U.S. State Department has declared him to be wrongfully detained.
The statement Thursday marks the first time prosecutors have publicly accused Gershkovich of working for the CIA, alleging without evidence that he was collecting “secret information” on a tank factory in the Sverdlovsk region. Gershkovich, The Wall Street Journal, the U.S. government and Gershkovich’s many colleagues all vehemently dispute he was working as a spy and say that he was doing his job as a reporter.
Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich stands in a glass cage in a courtroom at the Moscow City Court, in Moscow, Dec. 14, 2023.
Dmitry Serebryakov/AP, FILE
Gershkovich was on a reporting trip in Yekaterinburg, the capital of the Sverdlovsk region, when he was arrested in March 2023.
Previously, prosecutors have alleged Gershkovich was working for a foreign intelligence service without specifying which one.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
Evan Gershkovich, a reporter for the Wall Street Journal, is currently facing trial in Russia on espionage accusations. The case has raised concerns about press freedom and the treatment of journalists in the country.
Gershkovich, who is based in Moscow, was detained by Russian authorities in November 2021. He has been accused of spying for a foreign government, although the specifics of the charges against him have not been made public. The Wall Street Journal has denied the allegations, stating that Gershkovich was simply doing his job as a journalist.
The case has drawn international attention, with many expressing concern about the treatment of journalists in Russia. The country has a history of cracking down on independent media outlets and journalists who report on sensitive topics. Human rights organizations have called for Gershkovich’s release and for a fair trial to be conducted.
The trial comes at a time of heightened tensions between Russia and the West, with relations strained over issues such as Ukraine, human rights abuses, and election interference. Some have speculated that Gershkovich’s arrest may be politically motivated, aimed at silencing critical reporting on the Russian government.
The Wall Street Journal has vowed to support Gershkovich throughout the legal process and has called for his immediate release. The case serves as a reminder of the risks faced by journalists working in countries with limited press freedom and highlights the importance of protecting the rights of reporters to do their jobs without fear of reprisal.
As the trial continues, many will be watching closely to see how the Russian government handles the case and whether Gershkovich will receive a fair and transparent legal process. The outcome could have far-reaching implications for press freedom in Russia and beyond.
