Prisoner swap with Russia ends with the release of Americans
Kurmasheva, a Russian journalist arrested for spreading false information about the Russian military in the run-up of the Ukrainian invasion of Ukraine
A Russian American journalist named Kurmasheva works for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. She was arrested in October and charged with spreading “false information” about the Russian military under a law passed just days after the Russian invasion of Ukraine that effectively criminalized criticism of the war.
The U.S. Embassy in Istanbul is offering a key role in the exchange of Russian citizens from a Russian citizen to the United States
In a statement on Thursday, his family said: “Paul was held hostage for 2,043 days. The American was held by the Russians as part of their plan to use humans as pawns to get concessions. While in Russia, Paul was wrongly imprisoned and lost his home. He lost his job. We are unsure how someone overcomes these losses and rejoins society after being a hostage. We are grateful for all the help Paul received while he was away. We want you to continue to give Paul the privacy and space he needs as he rebuilds his life. It is Paul’s story to tell and he will tell it when he is able.”
He was taken into custody at the Metropol Hotel in Moscow, which is an upscale hotel, after he received a thumb drive from a friend that contained state secrets. The U.S. government has claimed that the man was guilty of fabricated charges.
As part of the prisoner swap, eight Russians will be returning home. Three prisoners will be released from prisons in the U.S.
The swap deal was described by President Biden as being a feat of diplomacy. “This is a powerful example of why it’s vital to have friends in this world whom you can trust and depend on,” he said in a statement.
“Not since the Cold War has there been a similar number of individuals exchanged in this way,” said U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan, adding the exchange was the “culmination of many rounds of complex painstaking negotiations over many, many months.”
Russian American journalist Alsu Kurmasheva, Russian journalist and dissident Vladimir Kara-Murza, and others are returning to the US from Russia.
The Turkish government provided a location for the safe return of the individuals to the USA and Germany, according to the Secretary of State.
The Turkish government said that it had played a key role in the exchange of prisoners in Ankara, which involved not only Gershkovich, but also a German mercenary and a Russian dissident.
“Russia says it caught James Bond on a spy mission,” Whelan said during a memorable court appearance in 2019. “In reality, they abducted Mr. Bean on holiday.”
Who’s Who in the Prisoner Swap that has Freed Evan Gershkovich from Russian Prison? A CNN interview with Kara-Murza
She was charged with failing to register as a foreign agent. Last month, she was sentenced to 6 1/2 years in prison after a trial that reportedly lasted just two days. Her family, her employer and the U.S. government have all denied the charges against her.
He called the government of Russian President Vladimir Putin a regime of murderers in an interview he gave to CNN. Within hours, he was taken into custody.
He has spoken out against Kremlin’s policy of assassinating political enemies and called on Western governments to sanction Moscow for human-rights abuses.
Kara-Murza is a vocal critic of the Kremlin and Pulitzer Prize-winning contributor to The Washington Post who in 2023 was sentenced to 25 years in a Russian penal colony after authorities accused him of treason and spreading “fake” information about the Russian military.
The allegations against Gershkovich have been denied by the Wall Street Journal. The U.S. government designated Gershkovich as being wrongly deprived of his liberty.
Kevin Lick, Herman MoyZHes, Volodymyr Ostanin, Vadim Ostanin, Denis Pivovarov, Patrick Schowald, and Oleg Orlov are listed.
Source: Who’s who in the prisoner swap that has freed Evan Gershkovich from Russian prison
The Prisoner Swap: a Wonderful Story of Russian Intelligence and Business Crimes in the War for Russia, Europe, Norway, Poland and Slovenia
“Some of these women and men have been unjustly held for years. All have endured unimaginable suffering and uncertainty,” President Biden said in a statement announcing the prisoner swap. This is a great example of how important it is to have friends in this world.
The Justice Department said the scheme netted a Russian businessman $91 million in ill-gotten gains and that Klyushin was sentenced to nine years in prison. Klyushin made his profits off of trades based on the stolen intel, according to the DOJ.
Konoshchenok, a suspected Russian intelligence operative, was extradited to the U.S. from Estonia last year to face charges stemming from an alleged procurement and money laundering scheme. He was a critical participant in a scheme that gave sensitive, American-made electronics and shooting equipment to Russia in order to help them with their war efforts.
Seleznev was sentenced to 27 years in prison for his involvement in a credit-card and identity-theft operation. Federal prosecutors say his crimes led to the theft and resale of more than 2 million credit card numbers — with losses of at least $170 million, but potentially in the billions. His victims included more than 4,000 financial institutions and businesses around the world.
Five others from Germany, Norway, Poland and Slovenia will also be released from American prisons. The person suspected of being an assassin for the Russian state was sentenced to life in prison in Berlin for the killing of a Georgia citizen.
Poland, Norway and Slovenia will let go of people they don’t like.
