What we know about the historic prisoner exchange between Russia and several Western countries, described as a “diplomatic feat”

Five Western countries have secured the release of several political opponents of Vladimir Putin’s regime in exchange for the return of several Russian citizens convicted of espionage or murder.

A “diplomatic feat” unprecedented since the end of the Cold War. Five Western countries, Russia and Belarus have carried out an exchange of 26 prisoners, announced Turkey, where the exchanges took place, on Thursday, August 1.

Among them, American journalist Evan Gershkovich, former Marine Paul Whelan and Russian-British political opponent Vladimir Kara-Mourza, as well as Russian nationals convicted of espionage or murder. Not all the identities of those released have yet been made public. Here is what we know about this exchange.

Journalists and political opponents released by Russia and Belarus

The Turkish presidency announced that this “largest prisoner exchange operation in recent times” concerned “26 people from prisons in seven different countries” : United States, Germany, Poland, Slovenia, Norway, Russia and Belarus.

“Thirteen” prisoners were transferred “in Germany and three in the United States”The United States has notably obtained from Russia the release of the American journalist Wall Street Journal Evan Gershkovich, sentenced to 16 years in prison in July after a summary trial on unsubstantiated “espionage” charges. Former US Marine Paul Whelan, imprisoned in Russia since 2018 and sentenced in 2002 to 16 years in prison, was also released, as was Russian-American journalist Alsu Kurmasheva.

Several political opponents of Vladimir Putin’s regime and the war in Ukraine have also been released. Among them are Russian-British Vladimir Kara-Murza, Russians Ilya Yashin and Oleg Orlov, and artist Alexandra Skotchilenko. Two collaborators of the Kremlin’s former number one enemy Alexei Navalny, Lilia Chanysheva and Ksenia Fadeyeva, are also on the list.

Rico Krieger, a German convicted in Belarus for “terrorism” and “mercenarism,” and a young Russian-German Kevin Lik were also released. The Kremlin said Russian President Vladimir Putin had pardoned the 13 people convicted in Russia and released as part of the deal.

Russian spies, fraudsters and murderers freed

The Russian security services (FSB) have confirmed the return of “eight Russian citizens” And “two minor children”Among them are alleged Russian agent Vadim Krasikov, imprisoned in Germany for the assassination of a former Chechen separatist commander in Berlin, and Roman Seleznev and Vladislav Kliouchine, convicted in the United States for fraud.

Also involved are several convicted or alleged spies, including Pavel Rubtsov, Mikhail Mikushin and Vadim Koneshchenok. The “two minors” are the children of a Russian spy couple, Artem Viktorovich Dultsev and Anna Valerevna Dultseva, arrested in late 2022 in Slovenia.

The United States tried to secure the release of Alexei Navalny, but failed

Washington had also worked to include in a deal the release of Alexei Navalny, the White House said. Efforts were derailed when the political opponent died in February in a Russian prison in the Arctic, in unclear circumstances.

An exchange welcomed by both sides

US President Joe Biden has welcomed a “diplomatic feat”. “To our knowledge, there has never been an exchange involving so many countries.”said Jake Sullivan, White House National Security Advisor. Joe Biden also thanked the “courageous and bold decisions” taken by US allies for this exchange “historical”particularly praising the role of Germany and Turkey.

“Decision” to release Vadim Krassikov “was not easy for the German government to take”admitted in a statement the spokesman for German Prime Minister Olaf Scholz. But “our duty to protect”help with “innocent people imprisoned in Russia for political reasons” and the “solidarity” with the United States took precedence, he concluded.

The United Kingdom has “highly congratulated” Thursday of the prisoner exchange between Russia, saying “particularly relieved” for its nationals concerned. NATO also welcomed the exchange, and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk “expresses his relief”. “All journalists and rights defenders detained solely for doing their job must be released. They must be able to work in safety, without fear.”the High Commission said on the X network.

“It’s a great happiness! Every release of a political prisoner is an immense victory and a joy”rejoiced on the X network Yulia Navalnaya, the widow of Alexei Navalny herself in exile. “No one should be held hostage by Putin, tortured and die in Putin’s prisons.”

For its part, the NGO Amnesty International deplored “a step towards the extension of impunity” judicial. “A murderer and other criminals convicted in a fair trial are now free, in exchange for people who only exercised their right to freedom of expression”regretted the German branch of the association. The organization says “relieved” by these releases, but fears that this agreement could encourage the Russian government to “new political arrests and human rights violations, without fear of consequences”.

Vladimir Putin has “congratulations” the eight released Russian citizens, whom he greeted at Moscow’s Vnukovo airport upon their arrival, according to Russian television footage. He thanked in particular those serving in the Russian army “for their loyalty”.