Russia exchanges prisoners, and freed inmates arrive in Germany Coordination by Turkey led to the unprecedented exchange of prisoners between Russia, the US, and other nations; participants included journalist Evan Gershkovich, former Marine Paul Whelan, and Kremlin opponent Vladimir Kara-Murza.
In total, Russia exchanged eight Russians detained in the West for the release of sixteen inmates.
US President Joe Biden stated that the agreement resulted from “complex negotiations” aided by US allies.
Turkey assisted in arranging the prisoner swaps. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hailed Biden for Germany’s assistance.
As part of the agreement, Russia released WSJ reporter Evan Gershkovich, former US marine Paul Whelan, and Kremlin critic Vladimir Kara-Murza. Russia exchanges prisoners: freed inmates arrive in Germany.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s revelation
On Friday night, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz revealed that he had earlier on Thursday seen a few of the Westerners and Russians who were freed from Russia as part of a prisoner swap.
In what he described as a “very moving” experience, Scholz said he had a lengthy conversation. The conversation involved the individuals who arrived in Germany.
“Many did not expect this to happen now and are still very full of the feelings associated with suddenly able free after all,” he stated to reporters. “Many had feared for their health and even their lives.”
Twelve former prisoners were sent to Germany as a result of Germany’s significant involvement in the prisoner swap. Rico Krieger, a German national, is one of the five who got a reprieve. Was given reprieve this week after found guilty of espionage and condemned to death in Belarus.
Besides, Scholz defended the choice to release Russian hitman Vadim Krasikov. He a major player in the Russians after he killed a former commander of the Chechen rebels in a Berlin park.
“We are a society that is characterized… the idea of individual freedom and democracy,” Scholz stated. “And the fact that those who have to fear for their lives because they have stood up for democracy. Thus freedom can also count on the protection of others…” Courtesy of DW. Read also
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