Russia Frees Jailed US Reporter: Russia has released jailed American reporters and others on Thursday (August 01), Turkey reported. According to the news, Wall Street Journal reporters Ivan Gershkovich, Paul Whelan and other prisoners were released as part of the exchange. However, US officials have not confirmed the release of the reporters and others.
According to the Turkish government, this is the largest prisoner exchange between the US and Russia since the Cold War. The Turkish President’s Office said that a total of 26 people, including two minors from the United States, Germany, Poland, Slovenia, Norway, Belarus and Russia, were involved in this exchange. There has been no comment from the Kremlin in this regard.
America refused
According to NDTV report, although US officials did not say anything in this regard, this news was shown widely on American television. In March 2023, Wall Street Journal reporter Ivan Gershkovich was detained by Russia. Ivan Gershkovich was convicted of espionage in a fast track trial held in July
Who was returned to Russia?
The US dismissed the arrest and espionage charges against Ivan Gershkovich as a sham. According to reports, Russian Vadim Krasikov was also returned as part of the prisoner exchange. Vadim Krasikov is a Russian citizen who was imprisoned in Germany. Vadim was accused of killing a former Chechen rebel commander.
It is reported that the Kaliningrad aircraft used in the previous exchange deal was recently seen in the Russian exclave. After the aircraft was seen, the news of the release of prisoners started gaining momentum. Recently, prisoners serving long-term sentences were also shifted from the jails where they were lodged. During the shifting, there were speculations that they were being taken as part of the exchange.