US journalist’s trial begins in Russia amid hostage claims.
The trial of detained US journalist Evan Gershkovich commenced in Yekaterinburg on Thursday behind closed doors.
Gershkovich, arrested in March 2023 while reporting for the Wall Street Journal faces espionage charges carrying a 20-year sentence.
Seen standing in a glass dock before proceedings started, the reporter smiled but did not comment. His employer rejects the “bogus” case as devoid of due process.
Trial venues are rarely shifted in Russia, raising questions. Diplomats allege Moscow is “stockpiling Americans” for hostage swaps like Viktor Bout for Brittney Griner in 2022.
Other detainees include Paul Whelan, a Marine jailed in 2020 amid spying claims, and Radio Free Europe journalist Alsu Kurmasheva held last year over the Ukraine war book.
Cases have sparked hostage accusations, with Putin seen hinting at swapping Gershkovich for German-held Russian agent Vadim Krasikov.
Few Russians seem aware of the case, with life normal on streets near Gershkovich’s arrest spot. But diplomats term it “unfortunate” that citizens are caught up in geopolitics.
With an acquittal rate under 1%, the forecast for the secretive trial remains grim for the Wall Street Journal staffer. His fate may depend on diplomatic bargains out of legal scrutiny.
