Wall Road Journal Evan Gershkovich Sentenced By Russian Courtroom To 16 Years In Jail

Evan Gershkovich, The Wall Road Journal reporter arrested final yr in Russia, was sentenced in the present day to 16 years in jail on what the U.S. says are trumped up espionage prices.

The responsible verdict and sentencing have been introduced this morning.

In keeping with the Journal, Gershkovich was sentenced to a excessive safety penal colony.

“This disgraceful, sham conviction comes after Evan has spent 478 days in jail, wrongfully detained, away from his household and mates, prevented from reporting, all for doing his job as a journalist,” Dow Jones CEO and Wall Road Journal Publisheer Almar Latour and Wall Road Journal Editor in Chief Emma Tucker stated in a press release. “We are going to proceed to do all the things attainable to press for Evan’s launch and to assist his household. Journalism just isn’t against the law, and we is not going to relaxation till he’s launched. This should finish now.”

Gershkovich was detained on March 29, 2023 by Russia’s safety service. It was the primary time that Russia has charged an abroad reporter with spying because the finish of the Chilly Struggle. The Journal shortly denied the costs and the Biden administration declared that he was wrongfully detained.

In March, on the one yr anniversary of his detainment, journalists held a read-a-thon in a present of solidarity and to name consideration to Gershkovich’s captivity.

Gershkovich was a international correspondent accredited by the Russian authorities who was on a reporting task in Yekaterinburg. He was arrested on prices that he was gathering data on a protection contractor and performing on behalf of the CIA, though Russian authorities have supplied public proof, the Journal stated.