Closing Arguments Set for July 19 in Russian Trial of US Journalist

Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich is accused of gathering secret information while on assignment in Russia in March 2023.

Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich inside an enclosure for defendants before a court hearing in Yekaterinburg, Russia, on June 26, 2024. Evgenia Novozhenina/Reuters

A Russian court said it will hear closing arguments on July 19 in the alleged espionage trial of U.S. journalist Evan Gershkovich.

Mr. Gershkovich, who has been in custody for more than a year, attended the trial on July 18, according to the court. The trial is taking place behind closed doors, and reporters could not see Mr. Gershkovich, unlike in previous court sessions when he was briefly visible before the start of the proceedings.