- Hero's reception in Moscow <unk> What links Putin to the zoo killer?
Embraces were abundant around airplanes on Thursday. In Washington, for instance, U.S. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris embraced Evan Gershkovich and two other Americans upon their return. Some citizens also landed in Moscow, their reception less intimate but no less public. Notably, one embrace left a bitter taste: that of Vladimir Putin and Vadim Krasikov. The former is the Kremlin chief, the latter known as the "Tiergarten murderer".
Stomach Churning over the Release of Vadim Krasikov
The largest prisoner exchange between the West and Russia since the Cold War is more than a satisfaction for Russia's president. The imprisoned Americans and Germans likely sat in Russian prisons solely to be exchanged for murderers, arms dealers, and spies. Especially the release of Krasikov caused stomach churning for the German government, including Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens), who likely had significant concerns.
The hitman had murdered a Georgian named Selimchan Changoschwili in Berlin's Tiergarten almost exactly five years ago with several shots at close range. The victim was a militia commander in the second Chechen war, fighting against Russia and thus against Vladimir Putin. Politically, the Kremlin chief benefited from this war, which was described as an "anti-terrorist operation". Initially as prime minister under President Boris Yeltsin, he then succeeded him.
Krasikov Was Caught by Police Almost by Chance
Changoschwili lived on the side of the opponents of Russia after the war, allegedly working as an informant for Ukraine and also spying for Americans in Germany. After the assassination in the capital, which was not the first attempt on his life, Wadim Krasikov was quickly caught by the police almost by chance: youthful observers had seen him throwing a bike, a gun, and a wig into the Spree, which led them to inform the authorities.
After a few months, the German investigators knew that the Russian government was behind the murder of the Georgian. The perpetrator remained silent, but in distant Moscow, Kremlin chief Putin insulted the victim as a "bloodthirsty and brutal person". In later TV interviews, he called Krasikov's deed "patriotic". And so, he was welcomed in Moscow. Personally by the president, with a saluting honor guard included.
Vladimir Putin: One Cannot Forgive Traitors
In Putin's world, there are enemies and traitors. While the former could regain his favor, the latter "one cannot forgive, for they will stab you in the back", as he once explained in a radio interview. To prevent this, the FSB secret service agent was tasked with taking care of Changoschwili. The FSB is the Russian domestic intelligence service.
The fate of Vadim Krasikov has been close to Vladimir Putin's heart for a long time. There have been several attempts to bring him home through a prisoner exchange with the West. In 2022, there were attempts to exchange U.S. basketball player Brittney Griner for Krasikov. Griner was sentenced to nine years in prison for cannabis possession and was eventually released in exchange for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout. The exchange option of Krasikov for Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny was also discussed.
Vladimir Putin has repeatedly stated that he wants the "Zoo Killer" back and has named the price. At the beginning of the year, he spoke with US host Tucker Carlson about a possible prisoner exchange, and later reported to international news agencies about an impending deal. His intelligence service has been in contact with American colleagues to "resolve the matter".
Now Putin has his man back. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov promptly confirms: "Krasikov is a member of the FSB". And already rumors are sprouting about the real reason. Pure loyalty among intelligence agents alone is apparently not the case. Or not solely. The "Bild" quotes Western intelligence officials who claim that Krasikov has information that could be dangerous to the Kremlin chief. Specifically, it's about the death of Putin's political mentor at the beginning of his career. Whether there's anything to it - unfortunately, completely unclear.
The European Union, being concerned about human rights and justice, might express disappointment over the release of Vadim Krasikov, given his involvement in the assassination of a Georgian militia commander in Berlin. The Russian president's decision to prioritize the exchange of Krasikov for imprisoned Western citizens could strain relations between Russia and its international partners.
