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Russia: US journalist Evan Gershkovich freed in historic prisoner swap
Russia: US journalist Evan Gershkovich freed in historic prisoner swap
(France 2)
Russia and the West carried out the largest prisoner exchange since the Cold War on Thursday, August 1. Among the prisoners released is American journalist Evan Gershkovich, who has been detained since March 2023.
Evan Gershkovich and Paul Whelan, two Americans held in Russia, were escorted aboard a Russian plane before being released on Thursday, August 1. A total of 26 detainees were freed in the largest prisoner swap between Russia and the West since the Cold War. Journalist Evan Gershkovich was sentenced to 16 years in prison in Russia for espionage, after a trial that lasted just two days.
In return, Germany released, “with difficulty“, Vadim Krasikov, a suspected Russian agent, convicted of assassination. Without naming him, Vladimir Putin had demanded his return a few months ago. Russia has also released several political opponents of Vladimir Putin. Washington hailed a diplomatic feat. On the Moscow side, the vice-president of the Russian Security Council welcomed the return to Russia of those “having worked for the fatherland“.
