Prisoner exchange between Russia and western countries – news Urix – Foreign news and documentaries

Bloomberg writes on Thursday that journalist Evan Gershkovich and former US Marine Paul Whelan will be released by Russia as part of the prisoner exchange. The men, who have been imprisoned in Russia on espionage charges which they and the US deny, are on their way out of Russia, according to Bloomberg. The Russian state news agency RIA writes that four Russian citizens have been removed from US prisoner lists. The Kremlin has previously stated that it does not wish to comment on the allegation of a possible major prisoner exchange between Russia and the United States. There has been no confirmation from the public. Whelan, a former US Marine, was arrested in Moscow in 2018 and subsequently sentenced to 16 years in prison for espionage, charges he denies. The US has always maintained that Whelan was visiting Moscow as a private individual. Photo: Sofia Sandurskaya / AP Rumors of a large-scale prisoner exchange In recent days, rumors have abounded about a large-scale prisoner exchange between Russia and Western countries. According to reports, there are signs of a possible exchange between Russia and Belarus on the one hand, and the US, Germany, Slovenia and the UK on the other. Several high-profile inmates, including American journalist Evan Gershkovich and Russian-British regime critic Vladimir Kara-Murza, have been moved from their prisons, suggesting a possible exchange. Gershkovich, 32, who works for the Wall Street Journal, was arrested last year during a reporting trip, accused of obtaining classified information about the Russian tank manufacturer Uralvagonzavod. He was recently sentenced to 16 years in prison, but has denied the charges against him. Photo: AP Further details of the prisoner exchange are not known at this time. However, the US has been in talks with Russia for a long time to get the two Americans released. Russians imprisoned in Norway In Norway, the Russian guest researcher charged with espionage, Mikhail Valeryevich Mikushin, is also behind bars. He was arrested in Tromsø by PST in October last year. He was then a visiting researcher at UiT Norway’s Arctic University. Mikusjin is accused and charged with aggravated espionage against state secrets, which carries a penalty of up to ten years. Investigations indicate that the Russian graduated from GU’s intelligence school in 2006. Not the first time There have been several similar prisoner exchanges between Russia and Western countries in the past. A famous example is the exchange of American basketball player Brittney Griner and Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout in December 20221. WNBA star and two-time Olympic gold medalist Brittney Griner (th) was released from Russian prison in 2022 in a dramatic prisoner exchange in which the US released the notorious Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout (tv). Photo: AP Another notable exchange occurred in April 2022, when the United States and Russia exchanged former US Marine Trevor Reed for Russian pilot Konstantin Yaroshenko2. Published 01.08.2024, at 14.18



ttn-69