BREAKING: Evan Gershkovich Sentenced By Russia to 16 Years Prison in ‘Sham’ Trial

AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko

Wall Street Journal correspondent Evan Gershkovich has been sentenced to 16 years in a Russian prison on charges of espionage after he was found guilty in a trial many have condemned as a sham.

The Russian prosecution had pushed for an 18-year sentence for Gershkovich, 32, who has consistently denied the charges, maintaining his innocence in a closed session on Friday.

“This disgraceful, sham conviction comes after Evan has spent 478 days in prison, wrongfully detained, away from his family and friends, prevented from reporting, all for doing his job as a journalist,” Wall Street Journal leadership said in a statement.

“Journalism is not a crime, and we will not rest until he’s released. This must end now.”

Gershkovich was arrested in March while reporting in Yekaterinburg, making him the first US journalist accused of spying in Russia since the Cold War. Held in Moscow’s Lefortovo prison, he was transferred back to Yekaterinburg for his trial.

Russian authorities allege that Gershkovich was gathering classified information about Russia’s military capabilities under CIA orders. Despite claims from Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov that Moscow possessed “irrefutable evidence” of Gershkovich’s espionage, no evidence have been provided.

The allegations were refuted by Gershkovich, the Wall Street Journal , and the US State Department.

The US Embassy in Moscow also denied the accusations against Gershkovich: “Regardless of what Russian authorities claim, Evan is a journalist. He did not commit any illegal actions. Russian authorities have been unable to provide evidence that he committed a crime or justification for Evan’s continued detention.”