Evan Gershkovich trial in Russia lacked evidence examination

Evan Gershkovich, a Wall Street Journal reporter, was convicted in a Russian court for allegedly gathering secret information about a tank factory. The trial, which began in June 2024, was conducted behind closed doors due to the sensitive nature of the charges. The presiding judge, Andrei Mineyev, stated that the trial was notably brief because no material evidence was examined, as neither the prosecution nor the defense requested it. Gershkovich, who has consistently denied the accusations, was sentenced to 16 years in prison on July 19, 2024. However, he was released two weeks later in a significant prisoner exchange between Russia and the West, marking one of the largest such exchanges since the Cold War. The judge expressed a controversial opinion, claiming he was '100-200 percent' sure that Gershkovich was simultaneously a journalist, a spy, and a CIA agent. This case has drawn international attention, highlighting the tensions between Russia and the United States, particularly regarding press freedom and espionage allegations.