Evan Gershkovich’s Espionage Trial in Russia Set for June 26

Summary:
The trial of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who faces espionage charges in Russia, will commence on June 26 in the Sverdlovsky Regional Court in Yekaterinburg, where he was arrested in March 2023. The U.S. State Department and Gershkovich’s supporters maintain his innocence, asserting that journalism is not a crime and that the charges are false. If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison. The trial will be closed to the public, as is customary in espionage cases. Despite the Biden administration’s efforts to negotiate his release, Russia has stated it will not consider a prisoner swap until a verdict is reached. Russian President Vladimir Putin has hinted at a possible exchange involving a Russian national imprisoned in Germany, though he emphasized that such negotiations should be conducted privately and based on reciprocity.