The behind closed-doors trial is taking place in Yekaterinburg, about 1,000 miles east of Moscow, the city where he was detained.
Prosecutors claim Mr Gershkovich gathered secret information on the orders of the CIA about a company that manufactures tanks for Russia's war in Ukraine. The charges have been ridiculed by Western nations including the US and UK, while Mr Gershkovich and his employer – The Wall Street Journal – have said that the reporter was only doing his job and have vehemently denied the allegations.
The 32-year-old faces a sentence of up to 20 years if convicted, which is almost certain. Russian courts convict more than 99 per cent of the defendants who come before them. “His case is not about evidence, procedural norms, or the rule of law. It is about the Kremlin using American citizens to achieve its political objectives,” the US embassy in Moscow said in a statement, calling for Mr Gershkovich's immediate release.
“This bogus accusation of espionage will inevitably lead to a bogus conviction for an innocent man,” WSJ editor-in-chief Emma Tucker said in a letter to readers.
Denne historien er fra June 27, 2024-utgaven av The Independent.
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Denne historien er fra June 27, 2024-utgaven av The Independent.
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Atomic bomb guinea pigs fight for justice 70 years on
Joe Shute hears the story of men on whom the army tested the effects of a nuclear blast, and how this could be a scandal similar in scale to the Post Office and infected blood cases
'I put my head down, do the work - people can follow it'
A developing force for the Red Roses, Morwenna Talling has grown in stature since making her debut as a teenager - and looks set for a key role at WXV
Springboks crush Pumas to claim championship in style
Aphelele Fassi and Pieter-Steph du Toit scored two tries each as dominant South Africa cruised to the 2024 Rugby Championship title with a comprehensive 48-7 victory over Argentina at a festive Mbombela Stadium.
Gordon on the spot as City are left ruing absent friends
There are different ways of deducting points from Manchester City.
Never-say-die Gunners hit Foxes with a late one-two
If this title race is to be “a war”, as Gabriel put it, Arsenal have claimed victory in a battle that may end up much more decisive than anyone expected.
US takes extreme measures to prove election not rigged
Four years after Donald Trump and his loyalists repeated groundless claims of election fraud, counties across the United States are working to ensure 2024 won’t be a repeat of 2020 by taking extreme measures to demonstrate that US elections are not “rigged”.
Dozens killed as Hurricane Helene batters homes in US
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Russia warns West against fighting a nuclear power
Russia’s top diplomat last night warned against “trying to fight to victory with a nuclear power”, delivering a UN General Assembly speech packed with condemnations of what Moscow sees as Western attempts at global domination and machinations in Ukraine, and even inside the United Nations itself.
The hothead Spaniards who served with SAS in WWII
British comrades despaired of their discipline but marvelled at their courage. Graham Keeley speaks to Sean Scullion, whose new book tells the story of the volunteer commandos
My ex threatened me with a hot iron, says mother of two
A domestic abuse victim tells Maya Oppenheim how she was made 'a prisoner' throughout a two-decade-long campaign
