Wall Street Journal Reporter Evan Gershkovich Sentenced in Espionage Case

Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich was convicted of espionage and sentenced to 16 years in a maximum-security prison, a charge his employer and the US government have called fabricated. The conclusion of his trial could lead to a prisoner swap between Moscow and Washington.

Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich was sentenced to 16 years in a maximum-security prison on Friday after being convicted of espionage, charges his employer and the US government have denounced as fabricated.

The conclusion of the swift and secretive trial in Russia's highly politicized legal system may pave the way for a potential prisoner swap between Moscow and Washington.

The 32-year-old journalist, looking calm, stood in a glass defendants' cage as the verdict was read. Despite the prosecutors' request for an 18-year sentence, the judge opted for 16 years.

(With inputs from agencies.)