Evan Gershkovich has appeared briefly in a Russian court with a freshly-shaven head at the start of his behind-closed-doors spying trial in Russia, a charge that the US journalist denies.

Flanked by a Russian officer, Mr Gershkovich appeared to be in good spirits as he stood standing in a glass box, wearing a checkered shirt with his hands tucked casually into his pockets.

The Wall Street Journal reporter was first arrested and detained in March 2023 after Russia claimed he had been “gathering secret information” on orders from the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).

Mr Gershkovich, 32, faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted and he has spent more than a year in Moscow’s Lefortovo prison.

Russian president, Vladimir Putin, has said he is open to the idea of a prisoner exchange involving Mr Gershkovich and that contacts with the United States have taken place, but they must remain secret.

The US has accused Russia of conducting “hostage diplomacy“. It has designated Mr Gershkovich and another detained American, former US marine Paul Whelan, as “wrongfully detained” and says it is committed to bringing them home.

The trial is due to take place behind closed doors – something Russia says is normal in espionage cases.

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