The trial of journalist Evan Gershkovich is being held behind closed doors by decision of the judge; the Kremlin has no other opportunity to comment. This was stated at a briefing by the press secretary of Russian President Dmitry Peskov.
He was also asked why the hearing regarding the journalist’s case was postponed to a later date.
“I leave it unanswered here. This is a court decision. We cannot comment on it,” Peskov said.
The Wall Street Journal journalist Evan Gershkovich was detained in Yekaterinburg on March 30, 2023. The man was charged with violation of Art. 276 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (“Espionage”), the maximum penalty for which is up to 20 years in prison.
According to the Russian Federal Security Service, the reporter was collecting information about one of the enterprises of the Russian military-industrial complex that constitutes a state secret.
Gershkovich during a hearing on July 19 denied admit your guilt. Investigation requested 18 years in prison for a journalist.
Earlier in the Kremlin denied Talk about a possible replacement for Gershkovich.