JournalismPakistan.com | Published July 20, 2024 at 05:27 pm
Join our WhatsApp channel
American journalist Evan Gershkovich has been sentenced to 16 years in a high-security penal colony by a Russian court on charges of espionage, following a trial condemned as a "sham" by his employer, his family, and the White House, reports the BBC.
Gershkovich, a Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reporter, was detained last March while on a reporting trip in Yekaterinburg, approximately 1,600km (1,000 miles) east of Moscow. Security services accused him of spying for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), allegations that Gershkovich, the WSJ, and the US government strongly deny.
This marks the first conviction of an American journalist for espionage in Russia since the Cold War ended over 30 years ago. According to the judge, both sides have 15 days to appeal the verdict.
"This disgraceful, sham conviction follows Evan’s 478 days of wrongful imprisonment, kept away from his family and friends, and barred from reporting, simply for doing his job as a journalist," WSJ publisher Almar Latour and Editor-in-Chief Emma Tucker stated. "We will continue to do everything in our power to secure Evan’s release and support his family. Journalism is not a crime, and we will not stop until he is freed. This must end now."
Washington claims that Russia is holding Gershkovich as a bargaining chip for a potential prisoner exchange involving Russian nationals in foreign jails. Moscow is aware that the US is open to negotiating swaps to free its citizens, and the two countries have been discussing such an exchange.
Russian analysts suggest that the swift conviction might indicate an imminent exchange. Russian legal practice usually requires a verdict before an exchange can proceed. In February, Russian President Vladimir Putin hinted at a possible swap in an interview with US journalist Tucker Carlson, likely referring to Vadim Krasikov, a Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) operative serving a life sentence in Germany for the assassination of a former Chechen rebel commander in Berlin.
Gershkovich’s trial began last month, with the final two days of proceedings initially scheduled for August. Prosecutors had sought an 18-year prison term. However, the hearing was unexpectedly moved up to Thursday, with the judge delivering the verdict late on Friday afternoon.
Prosecutors claimed in the indictment that Gershkovich, 32, was acting "on orders from the CIA" to gather "classified information" about a tank production facility in the Sverdlovsk region. Gershkovich has consistently denied these allegations, and the WSJ described the trial as a "shameful mockery" and his imprisonment as an "outrage."
March 29, 2025: A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration’s attempt to dismantle Voice of America (VOA), ruling that the move likely violated legal procedures. The decision protects over 1,200 journalists and media staff.
March 28, 2025: Turkey deports BBC journalist Mark Lowen over 'public order' threat and fines opposition TV channels covering Istanbul Mayor's arrest. Critics condemn crackdown on press freedom amid rising political tensions.
March 25, 2025: Turkish authorities must release detained journalists covering protests and end press crackdowns. CPJ condemns police violence and home raids targeting media workers.
March 16, 2025: The Trump administration has ordered furloughs at U.S.-funded broadcasters, including Voice of America (VOA) and Radio Free Asia, raising concerns about press freedom and government control over media funding.
March 08, 2025: Senior UK TV producers are taking shelf-stacking and pub jobs as the industry faces a prolonged crisis. Thousands are unemployed, with freelancers struggling to find work. Learn more about the factors behind this collapse.
February 28, 2025: CPJ urges Russian authorities to drop charges against journalist Ekaterina Barabash, who faces up to 10 years in jail for criticizing the Ukraine invasion. Learn how fake news laws are being used to silence dissenting voices in Russia.
February 21, 2025: Ghanaian authorities must investigate the attack on five journalists covering Ashanti Region elections. CPJ urges accountability to ensure press freedom and safety.
February 07, 2025: Mozambican journalist Albino Sibia was killed while filming police brutality, and reporter Pedro Junior was shot covering his funeral. Arlindo Chissale remains missing. These attacks highlight the dire state of press freedom in Mozambique amid post-election unrest.
April 11, 2025 Sindhi journalist AD Shar was brutally murdered in Khairpur, Sindh. His body was found dumped on Handiyari Link Road. PFUJ has declared a three-day mourning period and demanded justice.
April 10, 2025 The Azad Jammu and Kashmir government has filed a case against The Daily Jammu & Kashmir and its staff for alleged fake news, drawing condemnation from PFUJ and IFJ, who demand immediate withdrawal of the FIR and an end to media repression in Pakistan.
April 08, 2025 Journalist Arzoo Kazmi alleges that Pakistan's state agencies, including the FIA, have blocked her CNIC, passport, and bank account while threatening her. She calls it a direct attack on journalism.
April 07, 2025 The Islamabad High Court has directed IG Islamabad to produce journalist Ahmad Noorani’s missing brothers, as the Ministry of Defence denies custody. SIM activity was traced in Bahawalpur, and investigations into their suspected abduction continue.
April 07, 2025 Journalist and Raftar founder Farhan Mallick has been granted bail by a Karachi court in a case concerning anti-state content aired on his YouTube channel. He still faces separate charges related to an alleged illegal call center and data theft.