US journalist Evan Gershkovich released in Russia prisoner swap

Russia set free Wall Street Journal writer Evan Gershkovich on Thursday in a complicated exchange of prisoners with the US and other nations. This trade was the biggest of its kind since the cold war.

The swap of 26 prisoners between Ankara, Turkey, and seven countries marked the end of a long period of careful negotiation following President Vladimir Putin's military action in Ukraine.

The discussions included participation from Germany, Norway, Poland, and Slovenia, as reported by security authorities in several countries. Additionally, Turkish officials mentioned that Belarus was also engaged in the talks.

The US national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, described the exchange as "historic". He noted that there hasn't been a similar number of individuals exchanged since the cold war, and there has never been an exchange involving so many countries, as far as we know.

President Biden expressed his gratitude and excitement for the historic agreement, describing it as a result of skillful diplomacy and strong alliances.

He said: "Some of these women and men have been unfairly imprisoned for many years. They have all experienced unimaginable pain and uncertainty. Today, their suffering is finally at an end."

Russia set free 16 inmates, including Gershkovich, who was found guilty of espionage, and Paul Whelan, a former US marine serving time for spying.

Some notable Russian activists, including Ilya Yashin, were among those who were released, as reported by security officials from the concerned nations. President Biden described the released Russians as individuals who had been unjustly imprisoned for their political beliefs in their home country.

The Wall Street Journal, where Gershkovich works, announced that he is now safe and heading back home. He was released today as part of a prisoner exchange in Ankara, Turkey. The team at The Wall Street Journal is filled with relief and happiness for Evan, his family, and the others who were also released.

We strongly criticize Vladimir Putin's government in Russia for unjustly imprisoning Evan for 491 days with false accusations and a phony trial to suppress free press and truth.

Dmitry Medvedev, who used to be the acting president while Putin was away and is now the deputy chair of Russia's security council, wrote about political prisoners saying that he wishes for them to stay in jail or die while in prison.

"It is more beneficial to release our loyal citizens who have served our country, our homeland, and all of us," he explained. "Let the betrayers frantically decide on new identities and seek refuge in the witness protection program."

Russia freed two journalists, Alsu Kurmasheva and Vladimir Kara-Murza, who were both dual citizens. Kurmasheva, a reporter for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, and Kara-Murza, a columnist for the Washington Post, were released after being arrested and sentenced on charges of treason and discrediting the armed forces. The Kremlin pardoned both journalists and issued a decree on Thursday granting clemency to all those released.

The exchange also involved German citizen Rico Krieger, who had been held in Belarus and given a death sentence for supposedly trying to sabotage something. He was released earlier this week after being pardoned, according to Turkish officials.

In exchange, a group of 10 individuals, which consisted of two children, were moved from the western country to Russia. Among them was Vadim Krasikov, a hired killer who was found guilty of a public murder that took place in broad daylight in Berlin in 2021.

Individuals who were detained by authorities in Norway, Poland, and Slovenia for offenses such as spying were also sent back to Russia.

Biden mentioned that he had a conversation with Gershkovich, Whelan, Kara-Murza, and Kurmasheva in the Oval Office, along with their loved ones.

The FSB security service in Russia stated that they had set free a "group of people working for foreign countries to harm Russian security" in return for prisoners in western nations. This information comes from state news agency RIA Novosti. A source mentioned that Russia was happy with the swap and that everyone involved followed their agreements completely.

Gershkovich, aged 32, was taken into custody while working on a news story in Ekaterinburg, a town located in the Ural Mountains of Russia, in March of the previous year. He was subsequently found guilty of spying. Both The Wall Street Journal and the US government stated that the accusations were unfounded.

Russia said they caught Gershkovich in the act when he was arrested at a café in Ekaterinburg. They claimed to have undeniable proof of his guilt, but did not show any evidence to the public.

In Ekaterinburg, a journalist was given a 16-year prison sentence in July after a quick three-day trial. Gershkovich apparently did not admit to the accusations during his private trial.

Russia arrested a number of Americans before and after their 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Many believed this was a tactic to trade them for Russian prisoners held in Western countries.

Turkey, a member of NATO, has tried to establish itself as a go-between for the western countries and Russia. Ankara decided not to participate in the sanctions imposed by the US and EU on Moscow because of its actions in Ukraine. This includes allowing Russian aircraft to use its airspace.