American journalist Evan Gershkovich has been sentenced to 16 years in prison by a Russian court on charges of espionage, a case that his employer, The Wall Street Journal, has condemned as a sham. Gershkovich, 32, has maintained his innocence throughout the trial, which took place in Yekaterinburg after his arrest 15 months ago. The prosecutor had requested an 18-year sentence for Gershkovich, but he received 16 years instead. The Wall Street Journal’s publisher, Dow Jones, has spoken out against the trial, calling the charges “bogus” and “completely trumped up.” The U.S. government has also criticized the case, stating that Gershkovich has been wrongfully detained. The situation is still evolving, and updates on the story are expected.
Photo credit
www.nbcnews.com
Court in Russia sentences U.S. journalist Evan Gershkovich to 16 years in prison
