 A Russian court has sentenced Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich to 16 years in prison on espionage charges. Russia expert Beth Noble. Gershkovich was tried in secret because he was accused of espionage. So we don't know what happened inside the courtroom. But there were just two sessions previously for evidence and one day for closing arguments, which was today. That means the verdict was delivered before the judge even had time to consider the closing arguments fully.