The espionage trial of Evan Gershkovich, the Wall Street Journal reporter jailed in Russia, enters its last section on Friday because the courtroom started listening to closing arguments.
The prosecution considers the allegations made within the closed-door proceedings, which opened in Yekaterinburg on June 26, to have been confirmed past a doubt.
Russian media mentioned 32-year-old Gershkovich faces as much as 20 years in jail if convicted. He and his employer deny the costs.
Press freedom advocates, media shops across the globe, and the US authorities have additionally condemned Russia’s prosecution of Gershkovich as a sham and demanded his launch.
It was not clear when the judgement can be handed down, however courtroom watchers mentioned a responsible verdict – which is taken into account a certainty – and sentence have been attainable as quickly as Friday.
A courtroom spokesman had mentioned on Thursday, which was the trial’s second day, that the presentation of the prosecution’s proof and witness testimony had been carried out and concluded.
Gershkovich was arrested in March 2023. He is accused of gathering data on the Uralvagonzavod defence tools manufacturing unit in Nizhny Tagil, which lies 130 kilometres to the north of Yekaterinburg, on behalf of the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).
Wall Street Journal editor-in-chief Emma Tucker issued an announcement at the beginning of trial describing the proceedings within the Ural Mountains metropolis as “shameful and illegitimate.”
Like many Western journalists, Gershkovich had labored and researched in Russia with accreditation from the Foreign Ministry in Moscow.
The Kremlin mentioned lately talks have been underneath approach concerning an alternate of Russian prisoners held within the US for Gershkovich’s freedom. The detention of US residents in Russia typically results in fraught negotiations between Moscow and Washington.
Source: www.anews.com.tr