A Russian court has sentenced veteran RFE/RL journalist Alsu Kurmasheva, who holds dual U.S.-Russian citizenship, to 6.5 years in prison on charges of spreading falsehoods about the Russian army. The ruling came the same day another court sentenced U.S. journalist Evan Gershkovich of the Wall Street Journal to 16 years in prison on charges of espionage.

A Moscow court on Tuesday extended the incarceration of Wall Street Journal writer Evan Gershkovich until at least January 30, 2024, prolonging his confinement since March this year on spying accusations.

United Nations experts on human rights and media freedom havecalled on Russian authorities to immediately release American journalist Evan Gershkovich and expressed concern over the escalating number of treason and espionage arrests in Russia since the country invaded Ukraine last year.

More than 300 foreign correspondents from 22 countries called on Russian authorities on Monday to immediately release imprisoned Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reporter Evan Gershkovich, a U.S. national.