A court in Russia was expected to deliver a verdict on Friday in the espionage case of Evan Gershkovich, a reporter for The Wall Street Journal, after prosecutors reportedly asked the court to sentence him to nearly 20 years in a penal colony.
The proceedings were recently moved up by more than three weeks, and although Mr. Gershkovich is expected to be convicted, a verdict would open the way for a prisoner swap between the United States and Russia.
On Wednesday, the Russian foreign minister, Sergei V. Lavrov, said that the two countries were holding talks on a possible swap involving Mr. Gershkovich, who was arrested almost 16 months ago.
Russian officials have said that discreet talks were being conducted with the United States about Mr. Gershkovich, but that any prisoner swap would come only after a verdict was handed down.
Persons:
Evan Gershkovich, Gershkovich, Sergei V, Lavrov
Organizations:
Wall Street
Locations:
Russia, United States