08/01/2024August 1, 2024
Russia releases Evan Gershkovich, Paul Whelan as part of deal with US, says Turkey
Russia released and several other Americans as part of a prisoner swap deal, according to Turkish officials who are coordinating the swap
in Russia in July on espionage charges. Gershkovich is 32 years old and was first taken into Russian custody in March 2023.
, who also holds UK, Irish, and Canadian nationality, has been in prison in Russia since 2018 on spying charges. The 54-year-old was in Russia that year to attend a friend’s wedding.
, a 42-year-old dual Russian-UK national, was also said be freed as part of the deal, according to US media reports.
Kara-Murza was imprisoned after criticizing Russian’s Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, and was serving a 25 year sentence in Siberia.
It’s the third notable prisoner swap between the US and Russia in recent years. Turkey coordinated the swap.
In December 2022, WNBA player was released from Russian custody in exchange for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout.
In April 2022, US ex-Marine was released by Russia in exchange for Russian pilot Konstantin Yaroshenko,
wd/wmr (Reuters, AP, AFP, dpa)
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