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The EU demands the release of journalist Gershkovich, sentenced to 16 years in prison

by AI | 19.Jul 2024 | Europe in brief AI

The 16-year prison sentence of American journalist Evan Gershkovich elicited a very strong reaction from the chief of European diplomacy Josep Borrell, who called for his release.

A photo published by the Wall Street Journal shows Evan Gershkovich, an American citizen and WSJ journalist, who was arrested by the Russian FSB secret services for alleged espionage. (Photo: The Wall Street Journal/dpa)

Brussels – The European Union “strongly” condemns the 16-year prison sentence of American journalist Evan Gershkovich in Russia on Friday and demands his release, announced its chief diplomat Josep Borrell.

“Russia is using a politicized judicial system to punish journalism,” he responded in a message on X. “The EU demands the release of Evan and all other political prisoners,” he added.

This 32-year-old reporter was found guilty of “espionage”, a charge never substantiated by Moscow and rejected by the person concerned, his relatives, and the United States. He will have to serve his sentence in a “strict regime” penal colony.

This sentence results from a “sham trial”, estimated the President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola. “This 16-year prison sentence (…) is the antithesis of justice,” she added in a message on X. (19.07.2024)