 32-year-old Wall Street Journal reporter could face up to 20 years in prison. The White House has described the trial as a sham. Today's hearing was brought forward by several weeks, but why? Here's our Russia editor, Steve Rosenberg. Evan Gershkovich, a reporter for the Wall Street Journal, accused by the authorities of spying, of gathering classified information about a Russian defence plant about 100 miles from Yekaterinburg.