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US Journalist Sentenced to 16 Years in Russian Prison for Espionage
Evan Gershkovich, the first American journalist to be arrested on espionage charges in Russia since the Cold War, was found guilty of the charges and sentenced to 16 years in a high-security prison.
Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs Roger Carstens said that the journalist's office was an integral part of the team involved in negotiations for his release.
Gershkovich was arrested in 2018 and charged with espionage. The charges stem from his alleged possession of classified documents.
The journalist has denied the charges and said that he was doing his job as a reporter.
The trial was held in secret and the evidence against Gershkovich was not disclosed.
The United States has condemned the verdict and called for Gershkovich's release.
The journalist's family and friends have also expressed their outrage at the verdict and have said that they will continue to fight for his release.
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