MOSCOW: A Russian court found US reporter Evan Gershkovich guilty of espionage on Friday and sentenced him to 16 years in a maximum security penal colony in what his employer, The Wall Street Journal, called “a disgraceful sham conviction”.

Gershkovich, a 32-year-old American who denied any wrongdoing, went on trial in the city of Yeka­terinburg last month after being accused of trying to gather sensitive information about a tank factory.

He was the first US journalist accused of spying in Russia since the Cold War, and his arrest in March last year prompted many US and other Western correspondents to leave Moscow.

President Joe Biden said Gershkovich did not commit any crime and has been wrongfully detained. “We are pushing hard for Evan’s release and will continue to do so,” Biden said in a statement. “Jour­nalism is not a crime.”

Video of Friday’s hearing released by the court showed Gershkovich, dressed in a T-shirt and black trousers, standing in a glass courtroom cage as he listened to the verdict being read in rapid-fire legalese for nearly four minutes. Asked by the judge if he had any questions, he replied “Nyet” (Russian for no).

The judge, Andrei Mine­­yev, said the nearly 16 months Gershkovich had already served since his arrest would count towards the 16-year sentence.

Mineyev ordered the destruction of the reporter’s mobile phone and paper notebook. The defence has 15 days to appeal.

“This disgraceful, sham conviction comes after Evan has spent 478 days in prison, wrongfully detain­­ed, away from his family and friends, prevented from reporting, all for doing his job as a journalist,” the Journal said in a statement.

“We will continue to do everything possible to press for Evan’s release and to support his family. Journalism is not a crime, and we will not rest until he’s released.’’

Published in Dawn, July 20th, 2024