U.S. journalist Evan Gershkovich's trial resumes in Russia on spying charges roundly denounced as sham

Yekaterinburg, Russia — Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich appeared in court in Russia Thursday for the second hearing in his trial on espionage charges that he, his employer and the U.S. government vehemently deny.

The court said Gershkovich appeared Thursday for his trial, which is taking place behind closed doors in Yekaterinburg, a city in the Ural Mountains where the 32-year-old journalist was detained while on a reporting trip.

At the first hearing last month, the court had adjourned until mid-August. But Gershkovich's lawyers petitioned the court to hold the second hearing earlier, Russian state news agency RIA Novosti and independent news site Mediazona reported Tuesday, citing court officials.