Russian court sentences WSJ reporter Evan Gershkovich to 16 years in penal colony

July 19 (UPI) -- A Russian court on Friday sentenced Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich to 16 years in a high-security penal colony on espionage charges, claiming he was working as a CIA operative during a 2023 assignment in Yekaterinburg.

Gershkovich, whose detainment has drawn the ire of his newspaper and the United States government, became the first U.S. journalist convicted of espionage in Russia since the end of the Cold War.

The trial took place secretly, and the court said prosecutors and Gershkovich's attorneys have 15 days to appeal. Prosecutors had sought an 18-year sentence for the reporter.

"Evan's wrongful detention has been an outrage since his unjust arrest 477 days ago," Wall Street Journal publisher Dow Jones said on Thursday, according to CNN.

"Even as Russia orchestrates its shameful sham trial, we continue to do everything we can to push for Evan's immediate release and to state unequivocally: Evan was doing his job as a journalist, and journalism is not a crime. Bring him home now."

U.S. officials have argued that Gershkovich is being used as a pawn for a prisoner exchange for either a Russian in U.S. jail or another Western country. Russia exchanged U.S. basketball star Brittany Griner for arms dealer Viktor Bout in 2022.

However, Russia has declined to accept a deal for former American serviceman Paul Whelan, who Moscow convicted as a spy. Two administrations have tried to make deals to free him.

President Joe Biden released a statement Friday, saying that Gershkovich committed "no crime" and was targeted by Russia because he was a journalist and an American.

"We are pushing hard for Evan's release and will continue to do so," Biden said. "As I have long said and as the U.N. also concluded, there is no question that Russia is wrongfully detaining Evan. Journalism is not a crime. We will continue to stand strong for press freedom in Russia and worldwide and stand against all those who seek to attack the press or target journalists."

Biden also mentioned Paul Whelan, another American detained in Russia.

"I have had no higher priority than seeking the release and safe return of Evan, Paul Whelan and all Americans wrongfully detained and held hostage abroad," Biden said. "Evan has endured his ordeal with remarkable strength. We will not cease in our efforts to bring him home."