Condemnation as American journalist Evan Gershkovich sentenced to 16 years in Russian penal colony
Russian court finds Wall Street Journal reporter guilty of espionage
16-year sentence sparks outrage and concern for press freedom
American journalist Evan Gershkovich, who has been detained in Russia since December 2022, has been sentenced to 16 years in a high-security penal colony after a closed trial. Gershkovich, who works for The Wall Street Journal, was found guilty of espionage by a Russian court.
The U.S. government has condemned the sentence, calling it "outrageous" and a "direct assault on freedom of the press." The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has also condemned the sentence, saying that it "sends a chilling message to journalists working in Russia."
Gershkovich's parents attended President Joe Biden's State of the Union address in February, during which the president said that the administration is "working to secure his release."
The sentence has sparked outrage and concern for press freedom in Russia. Many journalists and human rights activists have condemned the sentence, saying that it is a clear attempt to silence independent journalism in the country.
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