text:  Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gerskovich has gone on trial in the Russian city of Yekaterinburg on espionage charges that he, his employer, and the U.S. government vehemently deny. White House National Security Spokesman John Kirby says Gerskovich is being held on bogus charges. Russia has failed to justify Evan's continued detention. He, like fellow American Paul Whelan, is simply being used as a bargaining chip.