«Release of American journalist from Russian prison: large-scale prisoner exchange»
2 august 2024 в 04:13
As countries take steps towards large-scale international prisoner exchanges, American journalist Evan Gershkovich, who was unlawfully imprisoned, has been officially released from a Russian prison.
The Wall Street Journal journalist was arrested in March 2023 while on assignment in Yekaterinburg, Russia. He was charged with espionage in a high-profile Russian court case. Gershkovich and Paul Whelan, a former Marine, were sentenced to 16 years. Whelan, who was in Russia for a wedding in 2018, was also found guilty of espionage in connection with Gershkovich’s case, although the US denied these charges. Along with these two, journalists Vladimir Kara-Murza and Alsu Kurmasheva were also imprisoned.
Paul Whelan felt abandoned by the US after previous prisoner exchanges, such as the case of Brittney Griner in 2022 on drug charges, in which he was not included. He expressed this feeling in an interview with the BBC.
President Joe Biden addressed the nation on Thursday, August 1, saying: «Their cruel ordeal is now over, and they are free. For those who doubt whether allies matter — they do. Today is a powerful example of why it is important to have friends in this world, friends you can rely on, work with, and depend on, especially in matters of great importance and sensitivity, as in this case. Our alliances make our people safer».
Germany, Norway, Turkey, Poland, and Slovenia were some of the countries involved in the deal. President Biden thanked them for their support, saying: «The deal that made this possible was a feat of diplomacy and friendship… Several countries helped make this happen. They joined in complex, comprehensive negotiations at my request, and I personally thank them all».
The deal led to the release of a total of 16 people, including four Americans, seven Russians, and five Germans who were imprisoned in their respective countries. Biden added: «The US also helped secure their release. This is who we are. In the United States, we stand for freedom, liberty, and justice, not only for our own people, but for others as well. So all Americans can be proud of what we have achieved today»
The Wall Street Journal journalist was arrested in March 2023 while on assignment in Yekaterinburg, Russia. He was charged with espionage in a high-profile Russian court case. Gershkovich and Paul Whelan, a former Marine, were sentenced to 16 years. Whelan, who was in Russia for a wedding in 2018, was also found guilty of espionage in connection with Gershkovich’s case, although the US denied these charges. Along with these two, journalists Vladimir Kara-Murza and Alsu Kurmasheva were also imprisoned.
Paul Whelan felt abandoned by the US after previous prisoner exchanges, such as the case of Brittney Griner in 2022 on drug charges, in which he was not included. He expressed this feeling in an interview with the BBC.
President Joe Biden addressed the nation on Thursday, August 1, saying: «Their cruel ordeal is now over, and they are free. For those who doubt whether allies matter — they do. Today is a powerful example of why it is important to have friends in this world, friends you can rely on, work with, and depend on, especially in matters of great importance and sensitivity, as in this case. Our alliances make our people safer».
Germany, Norway, Turkey, Poland, and Slovenia were some of the countries involved in the deal. President Biden thanked them for their support, saying: «The deal that made this possible was a feat of diplomacy and friendship… Several countries helped make this happen. They joined in complex, comprehensive negotiations at my request, and I personally thank them all».
The deal led to the release of a total of 16 people, including four Americans, seven Russians, and five Germans who were imprisoned in their respective countries. Biden added: «The US also helped secure their release. This is who we are. In the United States, we stand for freedom, liberty, and justice, not only for our own people, but for others as well. So all Americans can be proud of what we have achieved today»
© Artemenko Olga
