SwedenLivingWorld world_2_fill WorldBusiness BusinessSports sports-soccer SportsEntertainmentEntertain

USA Journalist Freed in Massive Prisoner Swap

The largest prisoner exchange between Russia and Western countries since the end of the Cold War has been completed. Among those released is the American journalist Evan Gershkovich. The ordeal for the prisoners held in Russian prisons is over, says USA's President Joe Biden.

» Published: 01 August 2024

USA Journalist Freed in Massive Prisoner Swap
Photo: Dmitri Lovetsky/AP/TT

The massive prisoner exchange, involving a total of 26 prisoners – ten Russian citizens, including two minors, and 16 prisoners from several Western countries, was completed on Thursday afternoon.

Turkey's intelligence service was crucial in the practical prisoner exchange. In addition to Russia and the USA, Norway, Poland, Germany, Slovenia, and Belarus were involved in the deal.

Secrecy

The news could only be reported late on Thursday afternoon, due to security arrangements and secrecy surrounding the prisoner exchange.

Two of those involved in the prisoner exchange are American journalist Evan Gershkovich and former marine Paul Whelan.

Gershkovich, who works for The Wall Street Journal, was arrested during a reporting trip in Yekaterinburg in the spring of 2023.

Russian authorities claimed, without evidence, that Gershkovich was collecting secret information on behalf of the USA, and he was recently sentenced to 16 years in prison.

Including Navalny

The USA has also tried to free Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, the White House announced.

We worked on an agreement with our partners that would have included Alexei Navalny, but unfortunately, it fell through, says US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan.

The White House called the prisoner exchange "historic". President Biden said in a statement that the agreement was a "diplomatic achievement".

In response to a question at a brief press conference, Biden said he "doesn't need to talk to (Russian President Vladimir) Putin" after the exchange.

Whelan and Kara-Murza

The deal also includes former US marine Paul Whelan. He was arrested by Russia's FSB security service in Moscow in December 2018 when he was about to attend a friend's wedding.

Whelan was sentenced in June 2020 to prison and hard labor for 16 years for espionage.

Belarus released German citizen Rico Krieger, who was threatened with the death penalty after being suspected of photographing military installations.

Russia also released political prisoner Vladimir Kara-Murza, who was sentenced in 2023 to 25 years in prison for treason after condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Russia Welcomes

Russia welcomed the prisoner exchange, with former President Dmitry Medvedev welcoming the release of Russians "who worked for the fatherland".

This includes Vadim Krasikov, who was convicted in 2021 of murdering a Chechen in a park in Berlin on orders from Russian security services.

It was not an easy decision to release Krasikov, according to the German government. The decision was made based on the government's duty towards German citizens and to show solidarity with the USA, says spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit.

Norway released a Russian citizen who was arrested in 2022, suspected of espionage.

Tags

TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

They found 102 poisonous snakes in their compost
1 MIN READ

They found 102 poisonous snakes in their compost

Trudeau: Trump's threat of annexation is real
1 MIN READ

Trudeau: Trump's threat of annexation is real

Missing Plane Found in Alaska – Ten Dead
2 MIN READ

Missing Plane Found in Alaska – Ten Dead

Trump revokes Biden's security clearance
1 MIN READ

Trump revokes Biden's security clearance

USA to Send Bombers Worth Billions to Israel
1 MIN READ

USA to Send Bombers Worth Billions to Israel

Netanyahu proposes Palestinian state in Saudi Arabia
1 MIN READ

Netanyahu proposes Palestinian state in Saudi Arabia

Trump: Musk should review defense spending
1 MIN READ

Trump: Musk should review defense spending

This is how the "hellish larva" will be combated
1 MIN READ

This is how the "hellish larva" will be combated

Zelensky: North Koreans are back at the front
1 MIN READ

Zelensky: North Koreans are back at the front

183 Palestinians to be released in exchange for three Israeli hostages
1 MIN READ

183 Palestinians to be released in exchange for three Israeli hostages

Trump Opens Up for Talks with Putin
1 MIN READ

Trump Opens Up for Talks with Putin

Georgia replaces controversial foreign agent law
2 MIN READ

Georgia replaces controversial foreign agent law

Russian victory cry from bombed-out small town
2 MIN READ

Russian victory cry from bombed-out small town

UN condemns Rwanda's support to M23 militia
2 MIN READ

UN condemns Rwanda's support to M23 militia

Small plane crashes on city avenue
2 MIN READ

Small plane crashes on city avenue

Disconnecting from Russia: "The Blackmail is Over"
2 MIN READ

Disconnecting from Russia: "The Blackmail is Over"

USA: Hezbollah not welcome in Lebanon's government
2 MIN READ

USA: Hezbollah not welcome in Lebanon's government

Four women arrested: "Recruited by Ukraine"
1 MIN READ

Four women arrested: "Recruited by Ukraine"

Punishes Iranian oil: "Cannot negotiate"
3 MIN READ

Punishes Iranian oil: "Cannot negotiate"

Global protest against Trump's sanctions
2 MIN READ

Global protest against Trump's sanctions