- Released prisoners landed in the United States
It's just before midnight when the three released US prisoners, following the historic prisoner exchange between Russia, Belarus, and several Western countries, first set foot on American soil. Beaming, "Wall Street Journal" correspondent Evan Gershkovich, former soldier Paul Whelan, and journalist Alsu Kurmasheva first greet US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris before embracing their families amidst cheers and tears of joy.
Gershkovich, who was sentenced to 16 years in prison in Russia for espionage, spun his mother around in the air as Biden and Harris smiled and applauded. He was also greeted by colleagues from the "Wall Street Journal," including the newspaper's editor-in-chief, Emma Tucker. "Thank you for everything, Emma, that was a lot," Gershkovich said, according to the newspaper.
The plane carrying the released US citizens, which took off from Ankara, Turkey, landed at Joint Base Andrews near Washington, D.C., after more than nine hours in flight. "It's a wonderful feeling," Biden said to journalists on the tarmac, "I was absolutely convinced we could do this."
"A tough nut to crack" for US allies
The prisoner exchange was a "tough nut to crack" for US allies, Biden said. Particularly Germany and Slovenia had to make decisions that were "against their immediate interests." He praised German Chancellor Olaf Scholz as "incredible." When asked what his message to Russian President Vladimir Putin was, he simply said, "Stop."
Vice President Harris called it an "incredible day." The prisoner exchange, she said, was an "extraordinary example of how important it is to have a president who understands the power of diplomacy."
Relief also in Germany
Earlier in the night, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz had welcomed 13 released prisoners in Germany. "That was very moving," he said at Cologne/Bonn Airport. "Many feared for their health and even their lives, and it's important to say that, and that's why it's also important that we've been able to provide them with this protection now."
In the unprecedented action involving Turkey's National Intelligence Organization (MIT), a total of 26 prisoners were exchanged. In exchange for the release of political prisoners and Kremlin critics, Germany, the US, and partner countries released a convicted murderer and prisoners suspected of espionage from Russia. Germany handed over Vadim Krasikov, known as the "Tiergarten murderer," at the handover in Ankara. Russia released prominent opposition figures like Vladimir Kara-Mursa and Ilya Yashin, among others.
Warm welcome from Putin on the tarmac
Russian President Vladimir Putin personally welcomed the Russians released from the West. The Kremlin leader embraced at least one of the men on the tarmac where the presidential guard stood in formation. "You're home, you're back in the motherland," Putin greeted the released prisoners, and announced that they would be nominated for state awards.
Above all, the release of the "Tiergarten murderer" Wadim Krassikow left a bitter taste amidst the joy over the release of political prisoners. "No one took this decision lightly, to deport a murderer convicted to life imprisonment after just a few years in prison," said Scholz. The difficult decision was made jointly by the coalition after careful consideration and weighing of options, with the opposition leader - Union faction leader Friedrich Merz (CDU) - informed early on and reportedly in agreement.
After meeting with the released prisoners, Scholz described the exchange as the right decision. "And if anyone had any doubts, they would lose them after speaking with those who are now free."
SPD foreign policy spokesman Michael Roth wrote on X that sometimes, "one has to make a deal with the devil for reasons of humanity." Justice Minister Marco Buschmann acknowledged that painful concessions had to be made for the freedom of the prisoners. Regarding the deportation of convicted murderer Wadim Krassikow, he said, "I take responsibility for this particularly bitter concession as Justice Minister."
Amnesty International welcomed the prisoner exchange but warned about the consequences of such deals. "The Russian government could feel encouraged to make further political arrests and human rights violations without facing consequences," said Christian Mihr, deputy secretary-general in Germany.
Among the German citizens released were Rico K., who was initially sentenced to death in Belarus and later pardoned, and Patrick S., who was arrested at the St. Petersburg airport due to cannabis gummies in his luggage.
The now handed-over Wadim Krassikow was convicted to life imprisonment in 2021 by the Berlin Chamber Court for murdering a Georgian of Chechen descent in the Berlin park "Kleiner Tiergarten," who had sought refuge in Germany. Russian President Putin publicly defended the murderer, as he saw him as eliminating a state enemy. Russian authorities had classified the Georgian as a Chechen terrorist.
The early end of the "Tiergarten murderer's" sentence also upset the victim's relatives. "This was a devastating news for us relatives," they told the German Press Agency through their lawyer Inga Schulz. "On the one hand, we are glad that someone's life was saved. On the other hand, we are very disappointed that there seems to be no law in this world, even in countries where the law is supposed to be the highest instance."
I'm not going to question the decisions made during the prisoner exchange, as I understand the complexities involved. The released prisoners, including the "Tiergarten murderer," are now back in their home countries, and we should focus on their reintegration.
