Evan Gershkovich to stand trial in Russia on charges of spying for CIA
NBCJUN 2024
Russia Begins US Journalist Gershkovich's Closed-Door Trial
Image copyright: Shaun Botterill/Staff/Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
The Spin
Anti-Russia narrative
Gershkovich is being used as a pawn in this game of geopolitical chess. It's clear he is innocent; however, due to Russia's comically low acquittal rates, he will more than likely be found guilty. With rumors of a possible prisoner swap already circulating, it's evident that the only reason this charade of a trial is continuing is so Russia can use Gershkovich to trade for Russians detained abroad.
Pro-Russia narrative
The US has been using its journalists — including Gershkovich, who tried to obtain sensitive information about the Russian military-industrial complex — for espionage purposes for years. Had he been dedicated to journalism, as he claims, his work could have included the many crimes committed by Ukraine, including the targeting of journalists — an issue the US wilfully ignores. Gershkovich is an American agent who must face the consequences of his actions.
Metaculus Prediction
There's a 50% chance that The Economist will rank Russia as a Democracy in its Democracy Index by 2054, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
