The Facts

• A Russian court found Wall Street Journal correspondent Evan Gershkovich guilty of espionage on Friday, and sentenced him to to 16 years in a maximum security prison colony.

• Gershkovich, who had official accreditation from Russia’s Foreign Ministry, was arrested while reporting on an assignment in March 2023. He has been accused of collecting secret information on Uralvagonzavod, a Russian tank factory, for the CIA.Gershkovich, who had official accreditation from Russia's Foreign Ministry, was arrested while reporting on an assignment in March 2023. He has been accused of collecting secret information on Uralvagonzavod, a Russian tank factory, for the CIA.

• The prosecution had sought for an 18-year sentence in the Sverdlovsk Regional Court in Yekaterinburg. The 478 days Gershkovich has already spent in prison will count towards his term. The judge also ordered for his cellphone and reporting notebook to be destroyed. The defense has 15 days to appeal.The prosecution had originally sought an 18-year sentence. The 478 days Gershkovich has already spent in prison will count towards his term. The judge also ordered for his cellphone and reporting notebook to be destroyed. The defense has 15 days to appeal.