Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich marks a year behind bars on Friday following his arrest by Russian authorities who accuse him of espionage but have offered no supporting evidence. His friends and family say he is relying on his humor and resilience to get him through the days. Gershkovich, his employer and the U.S. government deny the allegations. He has been brought to court a dozen times for hearings that have rejected his appeals for freedom and always extend his pretrial detention. The court appearances give his family and friends a chance to see him, if only for a few minutes.
The 32-year-old American has spent a year locked up on bogus charges. His friends and fellow journalists are deeply worried for him, but won’t give in to despair.