US journalist Evan Gershkovich in court as spy trial starts in Russia | BBC News

Summary

American journalist Evan Gershkovich is on trial in Russia, accused of spying for the CIA by collecting secret information from a Russian tank factory. The trial is taking place behind closed doors in Yekaterinburg, where he was arrested last year. The Wall Street Journal and the U.S. government vehemently deny the accusations, asserting Gershkovich's status as an accredited foreign correspondent. There is speculation about a potential prisoner exchange, as President Putin has shown openness to such deals, with precedent set by the 2022 release of a Russian arms dealer for American basketball star Brittney Griner.

Takeaways

• 🔒 Evan Gershkovich, an American journalist, is on trial in Russia for alleged spying activities.
• 📹 The media was briefly allowed into the courtroom to see Gershkovich before the trial began behind closed doors.
• 👮 Gershkovich is accused of collecting secret information from a Russian tank factory on behalf of the CIA, a charge he denies.
• 🏛 The trial is taking place in Yekaterinburg, the city where he was arrested in March.
• 🤝 There have been contacts between the U.S. and Russia regarding a possible prisoner exchange, but their status is unknown.
• 🤔 President Putin has indicated openness to a prisoner swap, similar to the 2022 deal for the release of American basketball star Brittney Griner.
• 📰 The Wall Street Journal, Gershkovich's employer, and the U.S. government strongly deny the spying allegations.
• 🗣️ The Wall Street Journal's Chief Digital Editor International, Gerry McCarthy, calls the trial a 'sham' based on false accusations.
• 🕰️ Gershkovich has been detained for 15 months, which McCarthy emphasizes as a significant personal loss due to his unjust imprisonment.
• 📚 Gershkovich is well-versed in Russian culture and aware of the potential risks of his work, having covered similar cases such as the Griner case.
• 🌐 The Wall Street Journal continues to campaign for Gershkovich's release, hoping for U.S. government intervention to secure his freedom.

Q & A

Who is Evan Gershkovich and what is he accused of?

Evan Gershkovich is an American journalist who has been accused of spying by the Russian authorities. He is alleged to have collected secret information from a Russian tank factory on behalf of the CIA.

What is the significance of the location where Evan Gershkovich was arrested?

Evan Gershkovich was arrested in Yekaterinburg, a city in the Ural region of Russia, which is known for its industrial and military significance.

What is the 'aquarium' mentioned in the script?

The 'aquarium' is a term used to describe the metal and glass cage in Russian courtrooms where the accused stands during the trial.

Why is the trial being held behind closed doors?

The trial is being held behind closed doors to protect sensitive information, which means that family members, diplomats, and media are not allowed to attend the proceedings.

What is the stance of The Wall Street Journal on these accusations against Evan Gershkovich?

The Wall Street Journal and the U.S. government vehemently deny the accusations, asserting that Gershkovich was an accredited foreign correspondent and not a spy.

What is the potential for a prisoner exchange involving Evan Gershkovich?

There have been contacts between the United States and Russia regarding a possible prisoner exchange, although the status of these contacts is not known. President Putin has indicated a willingness to consider a swap.

What precedent is there for a prisoner exchange between the U.S. and Russia?

In 2022, the U.S. agreed to release a convicted Russian arms dealer, Viktor Bout, in exchange for the release of Brittney Griner, an American basketball star who was jailed in Russia on drug charges.

How long has Evan Gershkovich been detained by Russian authorities?

As of the time of the script, Evan Gershkovich has been detained for 15 months.

What is the background of Evan Gershkovich in relation to Russia?

Evan Gershkovich is very familiar with Russia, having grown up in a family of Soviet immigrants to the United States, and he is fluent in Russian. He has lived and worked in Russia and joined the Wall Street Journal in 2022.

What is the view of The Wall Street Journal's Chief Digital Editor International on the trial of Evan Gershkovich?

The Chief Digital Editor International, Grenny McCarthy, considers the trial to be a sham based on false accusations, asserting that Gershkovich is a journalist who was doing his job.

What is the primary goal of The Wall Street Journal in relation to Evan Gershkovich's situation?

The primary goal of The Wall Street Journal is to secure Evan Gershkovich's release and bring him home as soon as possible.

Outlines

00:00

🕵️‍♂️ American Journalist's Spy Trial in Russia

Evan Gershkovich, an American journalist for The Wall Street Journal, has gone on trial in Russia accused of spying for the CIA. The trial is taking place in Yekaterinburg, where he was arrested in March. Gershkovich is alleged to have collected secret information from a Russian tank factory. Despite the serious charges, he has denied all accusations. The trial is being held behind closed doors, meaning no family, diplomats, or media can attend. There have been discussions between the US and Russia regarding a possible prisoner exchange, similar to a previous deal involving a Russian arms dealer and American basketball star, which could potentially lead to Gershkovich's release. The Wall Street Journal and the US government strongly deny the accusations against Gershkovich, who is a well-accredited foreign correspondent with a deep understanding of Russia.

05:02

📰 The Wall Street Journal's Stance on Gershkovich's Trial

The Wall Street Journal's Chief Digital Editor International, Gerry McCarthy, has spoken out about the trial of Evan Gershkovich, calling it a 'sham trial' based on false accusations. Gershkovich, who has been detained for 15 months, is recognized as a skilled journalist with a deep knowledge of Russian culture. Despite the risks, he was aware of the potential dangers due to his extensive experience covering similar cases, including the Britney Griner situation. McCarthy emphasizes the importance of securing Gershkovich's release as soon as possible, expressing optimism that the US government, under President Biden, will increase pressure for his return. The Wall Street Journal is actively campaigning for Gershkovich's freedom, highlighting the urgency and significance of this case.

Keywords

💡Evan Gershkovich

Evan Gershkovich is an American journalist who is the central figure in the video's narrative. He is on trial in Russia, accused of spying for the CIA. The video discusses his trial and the implications of the charges against him. His case is used to highlight the challenges faced by journalists in countries with restrictive media environments.

💡Spying

Spying is the act of secretly obtaining information considered to be of value to a government or organization. In the context of the video, the accusation of spying is a serious charge against Evan Gershkovich, suggesting that he was collecting secret information from a Russian tank factory on behalf of the CIA, which is a key point of the legal proceedings discussed.

💡Russian Court

The Russian Court refers to the judicial system where Evan Gershkovich's trial is taking place. It is significant as it represents the authority that will decide the outcome of the case. The video mentions that the hearings are taking place in Yekaterinburg, a city in the Urals where Gershkovich was arrested.

💡Media

The media, in this context, refers to the press and other news organizations that were allowed brief access to the courtroom to see Gershkovich. The media plays a crucial role in reporting the trial and informing the public about the proceedings, as well as the conditions under which Gershkovich is being held.

💡Aquarium

The term 'aquarium' is used to describe the metal and glass cage in Russian courtrooms where the accused stands during the trial. It is mentioned in the script to illustrate the setting in which Gershkovich is seen, emphasizing the restrictive and public nature of his confinement during the trial.

💡The Wall Street Journal

The Wall Street Journal is the employer of Evan Gershkovich and is mentioned in the video as vehemently denying the accusations against him. The newspaper is significant as it represents the institution that supports Gershkovich and is actively campaigning for his release.

💡Accreditation

Accreditation in this context refers to the official recognition given to foreign correspondents, allowing them to report in a country. Gershkovich is said to have been accredited by Russia's foreign Ministry, indicating that his journalistic activities were officially sanctioned and not covert.

💡Prisoner Exchange

A prisoner exchange involves the mutual release of prisoners held by opposing parties, often as a diplomatic gesture or deal. The video discusses the possibility of a prisoner exchange as a potential solution for Gershkovich's situation, referencing past instances where such exchanges have occurred.

💡Britney Griner

Britney Griner is an American basketball star who was detained in Russia on drug charges and was part of a prisoner exchange in 2022. Her case is mentioned in the video as an example of a successful prisoner exchange, suggesting a possible precedent for Gershkovich's situation.

💡Vladimir Putin

Vladimir Putin is the President of Russia and is mentioned in the context of being open to a prisoner swap. His role is significant as it indicates the potential influence of high-level political decisions on the outcome of Gershkovich's case.

💡Sham Trial

A sham trial refers to a legal proceeding that is considered unfair or illegitimate, often due to a lack of due process or predetermined outcomes. The term is used in the video by The Wall Street Journal's Chief Digital Editor to describe the trial of Gershkovich, suggesting that it lacks legitimacy and is based on false accusations.

Highlights

American journalist Evan Gershkovich is on trial in Russia, accused of spying for the CIA.

Media were allowed a brief glimpse of Gershkovich in the courtroom before closed-door hearings began.

Gershkovich was arrested in Yekaterinburg and is accused of collecting secret information from a Russian tank factory.

He denies all charges and is represented by The Wall Street Journal, which vehemently denies the spying allegations.

Trial proceedings are held behind closed doors, excluding family, diplomats, and media.

Contacts have been made between the United States and Russia regarding a possible prisoner exchange.

President Putin has indicated openness to a prisoner swap, similar to a previous deal involving arms dealer Viktor Bout and basketball star Brittney Griner.

The Wall Street Journal's Chief Digital Editor International, Gerry McCarthy, calls the trial a sham based on false accusations.

Gershkovich has been detained for 15 months, accused of making journalism a crime in Putin's Russia.

Gershkovich is a well-versed journalist in Russian culture, having grown up in a family of Soviet immigrants.

He was living in London and working in Russia at the time of his arrest, showing his deep connection to the country.

The Wall Street Journal and the U.S. government are optimistic about Gershkovich's release and are increasing pressure for it.

President Biden's administration is urged to secure Gershkovich's release, with hopes for a quick resolution.

The primary goal for The Wall Street Journal is for Gershkovich to return home as soon as possible.

The situation highlights the challenges and risks faced by foreign correspondents reporting in Russia.

The case raises questions about the freedom of the press and the potential for political motivations behind Gershkovich's arrest.

The trial's outcome may set a precedent for future relations between Russia and the U.S., particularly regarding prisoner exchanges.

Transcripts

hello you're watching BBC News I'm

Martin croell the American journalist

Evan gorovich has gone on trial at a

Russian Court accused of spying ahead of

the start of proceedings the media were

allowed into the courtroom to see him

briefly the hearings are taking place in

y cinberg the city in the urals where he

was arrested last March Moscow has

accused The Wall Street Journal reporter

of collecting secret information from a

Russian tank Factory on behalf of the

CIA he denied all of the charges well

earlier our Russia editor Steve

Rosenberg gave us this

update so the trial has begun and just

before the start of proceedings uh media

were allowed into a courtroom to see

Evan gershkovich we were part of that

group um he was standing in the metal

and glass cage that's known as the

aquarium in Russian uh courtrooms uh

head shaven um wearing a check shirts

and jeans he he was smiling uh to

cameras

but clearly this is going to be a

difficult time for him the trial will be

held behind closed doors so we won't get

in again to see him until the end of it

and behind closed doors means that

family members won't be able to attend

us diplomats won't be able to go in uh

the media won't be able to go in uh as

you mentioned uh prosecutors accuse him

of being a spy spying for the CIA now Mr

gershkovich his employer The Wall Street

Journal the US government vehemently

deny that that he was an accredited

foreign correspondent um in Moscow he

was on a reporting assignment uh in y

cinberg last year when he was uh

arrested it's clear that uh there have

been contacts between the United States

and Russia over a possible prisoner

exchange we don't know the status of

those uh contacts uh what stage they are

President Putin has indicated he would

be open to some kind of prisoner swap

and he knows the Russians know very well

that the Americans are up for doing

deals uh when it comes to getting their

citizens home we saw it back in 2022

when uh America agreed to release a

convicted Russian arms dealer Victor

boot in order to release Britney grinder

the basketball American basketball star

who was in a Russian jail on drugs

charges so yeah there is an expectation

perhaps that you know this could lead to

that when that would happen we have no

idea the kman said recently that

contacts uh have been made but has

called for silence for these kind of

discussions to take place between

intelligence agencies in silence Steve

Rosenberg let's speak to grony McCarthy

The Wall Street Journal Chief digital

editor International who's been

spearheading the papers campaign for

evans's release gr thank you very much

for joining us how do you regard these

proceedings which are taking place

without any support Court available for

Evan yes um good morning I think we

should say clearly and unequivocally

that this is a sham trial this is based

on um a false accusation against Evan

who is a journalist uh he was fully

accredited by Russia's foreign Ministry

to report in Russia he is a very good

journalist he's steeped in the Russian

culture and um in Vladimir Putin's

Russia um Jour he's appears to be making

journalism a crime Evan um on Saturday

will have been locked up by Russian

authorities for 15 months that's 15

months of his life that has been taken

from him simply for doing his

job he knows Russia extremely well so

how aware will he have been of the

potential risks for something like this

occurring I think very aware he's as I

say he's a very good journalist and um

he has covered this I mean as as Steve's

reporting alluded to just now he covered

the Britney Griner case um he has been

living and working in Russia although

when he was actually arrested he was

living in London and going in and out of

Russia on assignment but he grew up in a

family of Soviet immigrates to the

United States who's born and raised in

New Jersey um grew up speaking Russian

and he um has always been fascinated by

Russian culture and that's why he ended

up moving to Russia uh working for

various different news organizations

before ultimately joining the Wall

Street Journal in 2022 so the irony of

this all is that Evan will have a very

very good idea of the Playbook that

Vladimir Putin is using here what do you

think the options are for getting his

release I mean we remain optimistic that

Evan will get out as soon as possible we

hoped that we wouldn't come to this um

point of Evan having to be subjected to

this sham trial um he has already been

subjected to so much during these 15

months of captivity um but our only hope

is that this will further increase the

pressure on the US government the Biden

Administration um to secure Evans

release we know that um President Putin

has alluded to uh being willing uh and

open to doing a deal for Evan and to

conversations that that the Russians say

are happening in secret so my only hope

is that this you know these can reach

fruition quickly our only priority our

only goal this is something that's

binary he's either free or he's not or

he's not our only goal is for Evan to

come home as soon as possible granny

McCarthy from The Wall Street Journal

thank you very much for talking to us