Russian Court Advances Trial Date for Wall Street Journal Reporter

The Russian court has rescheduled the trial for Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich to July 18 from August 13. Gershkovich, accused of espionage and facing up to 20 years in prison, denies the charges along with his employer and the U.S. government, labeling them as politically driven.

The next hearing in the trial of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich has been brought forward to July 18 from Aug. 13, the Russian court hearing his case said on Tuesday.

Gershkovich went on trial behind closed doors last month in the Russian city of Yekaterinburg, where he faces charges of espionage and a sentence of up to 20 years in prison.

Gershkovich, his employer, and the United States government have described the charges against him as false and politically motivated.

(With inputs from agencies.)