Closed-door trial of US journalist Evan Gershkovich begins in Russia as case denounced as ‘sham’

Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich stands trial on spying charges before a court in Yekaterinburg, Russia. Photo: Reuters

Jabed Ahmed
© UK Independent

US journalist Evan Gershkovich has been put on trial by a Russian court, after being held for 15 months behind bars over espionage charges widely denounced as a sham.

The behind-closed-doors trial is taking place in Yekaterinburg, about 1,600km east of Moscow, the city where he was detained.