On August 1, 2024, Moscow and Western countries completed a significant prisoner swap coordinated by Turkey’s National Intelligence Organization.
This exchange involved several flights, with ten individuals, including two children, handed over to Russia, while thirteen people were sent to Germany and three to the United States. Among those returning to Russia were individuals like Vadim Krasikov, sentenced to life imprisonment in Germany, and Vladislav Klyushin, who had been in custody in the United States.
Other returnees included Artyom Dultsev and his wife Anna, convicted of espionage in Slovenia, as well as Pavel Rubtsov, Vadim Konoshchyonok, Mikhail Mikushin, and Roman Seleznyov, each held on various charges related to intelligence activities and other crimes in different countries.
Several foreign nationals and Russians with dual citizenship also left Russia as part of the swap. These included individuals like Paul Whelan, Evan Gershkovich, and Vladimir Kara-Murza, who had been pardoned by President Vladimir Putin. These individuals had been convicted of charges such as high treason, spreading false information, and calling for extremist activities.
Additionally, German citizen Rico Krieger, sentenced to death in Belarus, was pardoned by President Alexander Lukashenko and included in the exchange. Moscow expressed gratitude to the countries that assisted in the swap, confirming that all parties involved had fully complied with the agreements.
In Washington, President Joe Biden announced that Russia handed over sixteen people, including US nationals and other individuals.
He noted the return of Paul Whelan, Evan Gershkovich, journalist Alsu Kurmasheva, and publicist Vladimir Kara-Murza, among others. The backgrounds of the released Russians varied widely, from “espionage” convictions in Slovenia and Poland to wire fraud and securities fraud charges in the United States.
| Name | Profession/Role |
|---|---|
| Paul Whelan | US national, convicted of espionage in Russia |
| Evan Gershkovich | US journalist, convicted of espionage in Russia |
| Alsu Kurmasheva | Dual American and Russian citizen, journalist (Convicted of spreading false information about the Russian army) |
| Vladimir Kara-Murza | Russian publicist, convicted of high treason in Russia |
| Rico Krieger | German citizen, sentenced to death in Belarus (Pardoned) |
This prisoner swap highlights the intricate geopolitical maneuvering and cooperation between Russia and Western nations despite ongoing tensions.