Russia on Thursday (August 1) released incarcerated Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and former US Marine Paul Whelan as part of a major prisoner swap with the United States, Bloomberg reported while citing people familiar with the situation.

Russia releases US journalist Evan Gershkovich, ex-marine Paul Whelan in biggest prisoner swap since Cold War

Wall Street Journal (WSJ) Evan Gershkovich has been sentenced to 16 years in jail on espionage charges by a Russian court after just over three weeks of closed-door court proceedings.

US journalist Evan Gershkovich sentenced to 16 years in jail by Russian court

Russia's speedy espionage trial of US reporter Evan Gershkovich looked set to deliver a verdict on Friday, after just over three weeks of closed-door court proceedings denounced by the White House as a sham.

Russian court nears verdict in US reporter Evan Gershkovich espionage trial, prosecutor seeks 18-year sentence

Russia, as per reports, is stepping up its persecution of independent journalists in the country. Just ahead of the anniversary of American reporter Evan Gershkovich's detention in Yekaterinburg, Moscow arrested six journalists working for independent media outlets in Russia.

Russia stepping up 'persecution of last independent journalists and media,' alleges Reporters Without Borders

The Wall Street Journal published a blank front page to mark one year since its reporter Evan Gershkovich was detained in Russia on espionage charges. Gershkovich, his employer, and the US government have vociferously denied Moscow's espionage charges against the 32-year-old.

Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich marks a year in Russian prison

A Russian court on Friday (Dec 1) extended the pre-trial detention of American-Russian journalist Alsu Kurmasheva for two more months after she failed to register as a “foreign agent”.

Russia extends pre-trial detention of Russian-American journalist Alsu Kurmasheva until February

A Russian court, on Thursday (June 22) rejected United States journalist Evan Gershkovich’s recent appeal against his pre-trial detention on charges of espionage.

WSJ journalist Evan Gershkovich loses appeal against extended pre-trial detention

Russia has extended Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich’s detention who was arrested back in March on espionage charges, reported the Russian state media.

Russia extends WSJ journalist Evan Gershkovich’s detention, US calls for immediate release

A Russian court, on Tuesday (April 18) denied bail for the United States’ Wall Street Journal reporter, Evan Gershkovich who has been arrested and faces up to 20 years in prison.

Evan Gershkovich: US journalist arrested in Russia on charges of espionage denied bail

Russia said on Thursday that a prisoner swap involving Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich is only possible after he is put on trial. The reporter was detained in Russia late last month on espionage charges.

Kremlin denies Vladimir Putin personally approved arrest of WSJ reporter

Moscow on Friday formally charged jailed Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reporter Evan Gershkovich with espionage, informed Russian state news agency TASS. The filing of formal charges means that a criminal probe is underway in the case, according to the Russian legal system The publication said it was informed about the charges by Russia's Federal Security Service, the FSB, successor to the Soviet KGB, but it was unclear if the action was taken during a court hearing.

Moscow formally charges US journalist Evan Gershkovich with espionage

US journalist Evan Gershkovich, who was arrested in Russia last week on spying claims as per a Moscow court, is reportedly appealing his detention. The court on Monday made this announcement, adding that the date for this appeal is yet to be announced.

Evan Gershkovich, US journalist arrested by Russia, appeals against detention

United States President Joe Biden on Friday (March 31) told Russia to release Wall Street Journal journalist Evan Gershkovich who was arrested by Moscow on espionage charges.

‘Let him go’: US President Biden tells Russia to release American journalist