U.S. Journalist Evan Gershkovich Sentenced to 16 Years in Russia on Espionage Charges

YEKATERINBURG — Evan Gershkovich, an American journalist, was sentenced to 16 years in prison by a Russian court on Friday after being found guilty of espionage. This case has attracted international attention, focusing on the risks faced by foreign journalists in Russia.

According to Philippines News Agency, the prosecutor had originally requested an 18-year sentence for Gershkovich in a high-security prison colony. However, the judge issued a slightly lesser sentence of 16 years. Gershkovich was arrested in March 2023, with the Federal Security Service accusing him of collecting state secrets related to Russia’s military-industrial complex.

Both Gershkovich and his employer, The Wall Street Journal, have vehemently denied the charges, asserting that his activities in Russia were consistent with his role as a journalist. The case has raised significant concerns among international observers about press freedom and the treatment of foreign correspondents in Russia.