American Journalist Evan Gershkovich Faces Espionage Trial in Russia Amid US-Russia Tensions

Evan Gershkovich, a Wall Street Journal reporter, has begun his closed-door trial in Russia on espionage charges, facing accusations of gathering secret information for the CIA about a tank manufacturing company. If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison. Both Gershkovich, his newspaper, and the U.S. government deny the allegations, asserting that he was simply doing his job as an accredited journalist. The U.S. embassy has condemned the trial as a political maneuver by the Kremlin, calling for his immediate release. The trial, taking place in Yekaterinburg, is expected to be prolonged, with the next session scheduled for August 13. The case has heightened tensions between the U.S. and Russia, with potential for a prisoner exchange being hinted at but remaining uncertain.