“DISGRACEFUL, SHAM CONVICTION”
The Wall Avenue Journal correspondent, who pleaded not responsible, grew to become the primary journalist in Russia to be charged with spying for the reason that Chilly Conflict when he was detained in 2023.
He has spent virtually 16 months in detention on prices the US authorities and his employer have at all times mentioned are fabricated.
“This disgraceful, sham conviction comes after Evan has spent 478 days in jail, wrongfully detained, away from his household and pals, prevented from reporting, all for doing his job as a journalist,” the Journal’s writer Almar Latour and editor-in-chief Emma Tucker mentioned in a press release.
Washington believes he’s being held as a bargaining chip to safe the discharge of Russians convicted overseas.
His trial has moved quickly for the reason that first listening to in late June, with the prosecution and defence groups giving their remaining arguments on Friday.
Different related instances in Russia have dragged on way more slowly, with a number of weeks and even months between hearings.
Western governments expressed outrage on the verdict.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer referred to as it “despicable,” including that it “solely serves to underscore Russia’s utter contempt for media freedom”.
German International Minister Annalena Baerbock mentioned the case was “politically motivated” and demonstrated Russian President Vladimir “Putin’s concern of the ability of info.”
