The case against American journalist Evan Gershkovich, who was arrested more than a year ago on charges of espionage, began today in Russia, DPA reported, quoted by BTA.
The trial against the correspondent of the “Wall Street Journal” will be held in the city of Yekaterinburg. The 32-year-old reporter denied the allegations during questioning.
A spokesman for the General Prosecutor's Office of the Russian Federation said that, according to the investigation, Gershkovich collected classified information for the benefit of the US CIA. The US government denies the allegations.
According to the Kremlin, negotiations are underway for a prisoner exchange for Gershkovich. The detention of American citizens in Russia often results in complex negotiations between Moscow and Washington for release or exchange.
Despite strained relations between the US and Russia, there have been numerous prisoner exchanges in the past.