Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich has been sentenced to 16 years in a high-security penal colony by a Russian court on espionage charges that have been widely condemned as a sham. The closed trial concluded swiftly, with Gershkovich being accused of gathering classified information about a military factory, allegations he denies. The US, UK officials, and media outlets have called for his immediate release, highlighting concerns about press freedom and the politicized legal system in Russia. Both Russian and American political circles suggest a potential prisoner swap involving Gershkovich, although specifics and names of possible candidates remain undisclosed. The trial, held behind closed doors, lacked substantial evidence and has sparked outrage globally, with calls for justice and freedom for the journalist intensifying.