WALL Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich went on trial behind closed doors in Russia today, 15 months after his arrest on espionage charges that he, his employer and the US government vehemently deny.

The 32-year-old journalist appeared the court at Yekaterinburg in a glass defendants’ cage, his head shaved and wearing a black-and-blue plaid shirt.

Journalists were allowed into the courtroom for a few minutes before proceedings were closed. Also briefly permitted in court were two consular officers from the US embassy in Moscow.