The War On News

A record of government actions against journalism and fact-based reporting, 1900 to today

Incident

Russia: Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich sentenced to 16 years

RussiaRSF 2026 rank: 172nd of 180

Engraving of an empty press briefing room with a lectern and rows of chairs

Russia arrested Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich in March 2023 on an espionage charge his employer called fabricated, held him for about 15 months before a closed trial, and sentenced him to 16 years before releasing him in a prisoner exchange.1234

What happened

Russian security services arrested Evan Gershkovich, a correspondent for The Wall Street Journal, in Yekaterinburg on March 29, 2023, accusing him of collecting secret information for the United States Central Intelligence Agency about a Russian tank factory. He was held for nearly 15 months before a closed-door trial opened on June 26, 2024. On July 19, 2024, a Russian judge sentenced him to 16 years in a penal colony. The Wall Street Journal's leadership called the conviction a sham and said Russian authorities had failed to present evidence of a crime. The United States Embassy in Russia said he had done nothing wrong. On August 1, 2024, Gershkovich was released along with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty editor Alsu Kurmasheva and other prisoners in a multi-country exchange.1234

Closed; Gershkovich was released in a prisoner exchange in August 2024.4

What reason was given

Stated justification

The indictment accused Gershkovich of collecting "secret information" for the CIA on a Russian tank factory.1

What changed for reporting

Gershkovich's arrest ended regular Western newspaper reporting from inside Russia by a staff correspondent for the duration of his imprisonment.2

Timeline

2023

29 March 2023
Russia: Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich sentenced to 16 years

Who acted

NameRole in this incidentOffice at the time
Vladimir PutinotherPresident of Russia

Outlets and journalists

NameKindRelation
Radio Free Europe/Radio Libertyoutletaffected
The Wall Street Journaloutletaffected
Alsu Kurmashevajournalist, Radio Free Europe/Radio Libertyaffected
Evan Gershkovichjournalist, The Wall Street Journalaffected

Sources

  1. Russian authorities jail US journalist Evan Gershkovich for 16 yearsCommittee to Protect Journalists, 2024-07-19, reporting. Source record
  2. CPJ welcomes return of Gershkovich, Kurmasheva, says Russia must stop stifling journalistsCommittee to Protect Journalists, 2024-08-01, reporting. Source record
  3. Russian court jails US reporter Gershkovich for 16 yearsReuters, 2024-07-19, reporting. Source record

Claims and evidence

Each numbered claim quotes the source it rests on.

  1. CPJ's characterization of the conviction.Russia's decision to jail Evan Gershkovich for 16 years on sham charges is outrageous,Russian authorities jail US journalist Evan Gershkovich for 16 years, Committee to Protect Journalists, 2024-07-19.Claim 547, checked 2026-09-22.
  2. The employer's response, noting his time in detention.This disgraceful, sham conviction comes after Evan has spent 478 days in prison, wrongfully detained,Russian authorities jail US journalist Evan Gershkovich for 16 years, Committee to Protect Journalists, 2024-07-19.Claim 548, checked 2026-09-22.
  3. The formal charge against Gershkovich.collecting "secret information" for the CIA on a Russian tank factoryRussian authorities jail US journalist Evan Gershkovich for 16 years, Committee to Protect Journalists, 2024-07-19.Claim 663, checked 2026-09-22.
  4. Confirmation of the August 2024 release.Evan and Alsu were detained and sentenced on spurious charges…CPJ welcomes return of Gershkovich, Kurmasheva, says Russia must stop stifling journalists, Committee to Protect Journalists, 2024-08-01.Claim 664, checked 2026-09-22.