Russian Court Requests 18-Year Sentence for US Journalist

Russian prosecutors have requested an 18-year prison term for Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich on espionage charges, a claim vehemently denied by the US and his employer. The trial, held behind closed doors in Yekaterinburg, has been criticized as a sham and illegitimate by court officials, US representatives, and The Wall Street Journal. Gershkovich, accused of spying for the US, has been detained since March 2023, with Moscow alleging he gathered secret information about Russia's military capacities. Discussions of a potential prisoner swap involving Gershkovich are ongoing, with both Russian and US officials open to an exchange but without a clear timeline.