The United States and Russia completed a major prisoner swap, the largest in post-Soviet history, with Moscow freeing Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and fellow American Paul Whelan in a multinational deal.
Thursday’s exchange freed about two dozen people, according to officials in Turkey, where the exchange took place.
The West obtained the release of 16 people from Russia, including five Germans and seven Russian political prisoners, according to a statement from US President Joe Biden.
Meanwhile, Russia has guaranteed the freedom of several of its own citizens convicted of serious crimes in the West.
See how the world reacted:
United Nations
UN human rights chief Volker Turk expressed his “relief” at the prisoner swap.
“All journalists and rights defenders detained simply for doing their work must be released,” the United Nations Human Rights Office said in a post on X.
NATO
NATO welcomed the release of prisoners it said belonged to alliance members working closely together.
“We welcome the release today of several Russian political prisoners. The agreement that guaranteed his freedom was negotiated by several NATO allies who worked together,” said spokesperson Farah Dakhlallah.
Poland
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk expressed his gratitude to the country’s president Andrzej Duda and the security services for their work, which led to part of the exchange.
“The prisoner exchange operation has just ended, thanks to which the heroes of the Russian opposition and citizens of NATO countries detained in Russia left Russia. The action was possible thanks to the involvement of our state. I would like to thank the President and the services for their exemplary cooperation,” wrote Tusk on X.
U.S
Biden said the exchange was “a feat of diplomacy and friendship” and praised Washington’s allies for their “bold and courageous decisions.”
“This would not have been possible without our allies,” he said. “Today is a powerful example of why it is vital to have friends in this world.”
Russia
The Kremlin, speaking on the day of the exchange, said it hoped those leaving Russia, which it described as “enemies,” would stay away, according to the state news agency TASS.
“Let traitors now feverishly choose new names and actively disguise themselves under witness protection programs,” said former president Dmitry Medvedev.
Germany
Germany said the release of Vadim Krasikov, a Russian convicted of the 2019 murder of a former Chechen fighter in Berlin, was “not an easy decision.”
“Our obligation to protect German citizens and our solidarity with the US were important motivations,” the government said in a statement.
Norway
The Northern European country was part of the exchange. Released a Russian citizen accused of spying in the country.
“The exchange was made possible through extensive international cooperation,” Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store said in a statement.
“For the Norwegian authorities, it has been important to contribute to this cooperation with our close allies. Close collaboration between several countries made this possible.”
UK
Foreign Secretary David Lammy said he “strongly” welcomed the release of prisoners in Russia, especially Whelan and dissident Vladimir Kara-Murza, who hold British citizenship.
“Mr Kara-Murza is a dedicated opponent of the Putin regime,” Lammy said in a statement. “He should never have been in prison in the first place: Russian authorities detained him in life-threatening conditions because he courageously told the truth about the war in Ukraine.”
I am deeply relieved by the release of Vladimir Kara-Murza. He is a staunch opponent of the illegal invasion of Ukraine and should never have been arrested in the first place. I’m looking forward to talking to him and Paul Whelan when they get back home.
My statement …
-David Lammy (@DavidLammy) August 1, 2024
Wall Street Journal
Wall Street Journal editor Emma Tucker, whose correspondent Gershkovich was included in the exchange, said the exchange “made in a swap for Russian agents guilty of serious crimes was foreseeable as the only solution given to the president.” [Vladimir] Putin’s cynicism.
“We are grateful to President Biden and his administration for working with persistence and determination to bring Evan home rather than have him sent to a Russian labor camp for a crime he did not commit.”
Julia Navalnaya
Many of those released worked with the late Alexey Navalny, the leading Russian opposition figure. His widow, Yulia Navalnaya, said the release of Russian dissidents was “a great happiness.”
“Every political prisoner released is a great victory and joy. No one should be held hostage by Putin, tortured and die in Putin’s prison,” she wrote on X.
Amnesty International
Amnesty International expressed relief at the release of prisoners held by Russia, but said the exchange leaves “a bitter aftertaste”.
The deputy general secretary of Amnesty’s German section, Christian Mihr, said in a statement that “a murderer and other criminals who were convicted in a fair trial are now being released in exchange for people who merely used their right to freedom of expression.
“Therefore, the prisoner exchange is also a step towards expanding impunity.”
He argued that the Russian government could feel emboldened to carry out more political detentions and human rights violations without having to fear the consequences.
Reporters Without Borders
The press freedom watchdog, known by its French acronym (RSF), said it was “extremely relieved” by the release of Gershkovich and fellow journalist Alsu Kurmasheva.
“Neither of them should have spent a single day in a Russian prison for doing their jobs as journalists,” RSF said in a statement.
This story originally appeared on Aljazeera.com read the full story
