Prisoners Freed in Massive Exchange With Russia
Journalists and Dissidents Among 24 Detainees Released
Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and former US Marine Paul Whelan were among two dozen detainees that were released Thursday as part of a historic prisoner exchange between the United States and Russia.
The release of the prisoners, which involved seven nations and 24 people, was the result of months of negotiations between the two countries. It is the largest such exchange since the Cold War.
Among the prisoners released by Russia were Gershkovich, who had been held since December 2021 on charges of espionage, and Whelan, who had been imprisoned since 2018 on charges of spying.
"This is a great day for the United States," President Biden said in a statement. "We have secured the release of two wrongfully detained American citizens, and we will continue to work tirelessly to bring home all Americans who are held hostage or wrongfully detained abroad."
The release of the prisoners was welcomed by human rights groups, which had been calling for their freedom for years.
"This is a victory for justice and human rights," said Agnès Callamard, the UN's special rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions. "It is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, hope can prevail."
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