Russia's foreign minister asserted on Wednesday that the country possesses 'irrefutable evidence' proving the guilt of a Wall Street Journal reporter accused of espionage. The reporter, who was arrested during a reporting trip in Yekaterinburg, is set to appear in court on Thursday.
The foreign minister blamed American journalists for hindering potential U.S.-Russia talks on a prisoner exchange by disclosing confidential negotiations. He emphasized that the ongoing case is not an attack on journalism but rather a matter of national security.
The Russian Prosecutor General's office has accused the journalist of gathering secret information on behalf of the CIA about a military equipment plant in the region. The journalist, along with his employer and the U.S. government, denies these allegations.
During a U.N. news conference, the foreign minister highlighted historical instances of journalists being recruited as spies by Western nations. He criticized the strong reactions from the U.S. and U.K. to the journalist's detention, contrasting it with Russia's response to the expulsion of its journalists from Western countries.
If convicted, the journalist could face up to 20 years in prison in a country where conviction rates exceed 99%. Despite this, Russia has hinted at the possibility of a prisoner swap following the trial.
The situation remains tense as both sides navigate diplomatic challenges and legal proceedings in a case that has drawn international attention.
