Conviction of Wall Street Journal Correspondent Evan Gershkovich on Espionage Charges in Russia

SOURCE www.npr.org
Russian court convicts Wall Street Journal correspondent Evan Gershkovich of espionage, sentencing him to 16 years in prison in a closed-door trial denounced as a sham. The U.S. and the journalist's newspaper have rejected the spying allegations, stating that he was wrongfully detained for doing his job as a journalist. Speculation arises about a possible prisoner swap deal between Moscow and Washington.

Key Points

  • Evan Gershkovich convicted of espionage and sentenced to 16 years in a Russian prison colony
  • Accused of collecting 'secret information' about a Russian tank factory on orders of the CIA
  • Gershkovich and Wall Street Journal deny spying allegations, emphasizing his official accreditation as a journalist in Russia
  • U.S. government characterizes the charges as 'fiction' and 'political'
  • Speculation arises about a potential prisoner exchange deal between the U.S. and Russia
  • Kremlin suggests Gershkovich caught 'red handed' and trial speed fuels speculation of a swap deal

Pros

  • Speculation of possible prisoner swap deal between Moscow and Washington

Cons

  • Journalist wrongfully detained and sentenced to prison for doing his job