13 Russian Prisoners Arriving in Germany
In what is reportedly the largest prisoner swap since the Cold War, Germany is significantly involved. 13 people from Russia are being brought to the Federal Republic, among them reportedly German national Rico Krieger, who was pardoned in Belarus.
The Turkish presidential palace has confirmed a major prisoner exchange between Russia and Western countries, including the US and Germany. The Turkish intelligence agency MIT organized the exchange of a total of 26 prisoners, including German national Rico Krieger, US journalist Evan Gershkovich, and former US soldier Paul Whelan, the palace announced in Ankara.
According to the announcement, prisoners from the US, Germany, Poland, Slovenia, Norway, Russia, and Belarus were involved. A total of 13 people are being brought to Germany, three to the US, and ten to Russia in return.
Among the released prisoners is the so-called Tiergarten murderer Vadim Krasikov. He was sentenced to life imprisonment in Germany at the end of 2021 for killing a Georgian man of Chechen origin in the "Kleiner Tiergarten" in Berlin on behalf of the Russian state.
Gershkovich and Whelan freed
Previously, US media had reported on a major agreement between Russia and the West for the exchange of prisoners. The "Wall Street Journal" reporter Gershkovich was sentenced to 16 years in a labor camp on July 19 for "espionage." The 32-year-old's trial lasted only slightly over three weeks. The 54-year-old former US soldier Whelan was arrested in Russia in December 2018.
Russian President Vladimir Putin had hinted that Gershkovich could be released as part of a prisoner exchange and mentioned the desired release of the Russian imprisoned in Germany for the so-called Tiergarten murder.
In recent days, the transfer of several Russian prisoners and the unclear whereabouts of other prisoners have fueled speculation about an impending major prisoner exchange. According to the independent website "Sotavision," the German-Russian national Kevin Lich, who was convicted of treason, was also among the affected prisoners.
The Turkish-mediated prisoner swap involves conflicts and tensions between various nations, as it includes individuals from the US, Germany, Poland, Slovenia, Norway, Russia, and Belarus, all involved in Wars and Conflicts. The return of German national Rico Krieger, who was charged with espionage in Belarus, highlights the complex web of international relations and conflicts.
