Russia is likely to release US journalist Gershkovich
For several days now, signs have been pointing to a prisoner exchange between Russia and the US. According to a report, recently sentenced US journalist Evan Gershkovich is on his way to freedom. There is also good news for another US citizen.
According to a report by US media outlet Bloomberg, "Wall Street Journal" journalist Evan Gershkovich, who was recently sentenced to 16 years in prison in Russia, is being released as part of a prisoner exchange. Paul Whelan, a former US marine, is also part of the deal, it is reported. The two men are said to be on their way to destinations outside of Russia.
The 32-year-old Gershkovich was arrested in March 2023. The Russian FSB accused him of espionage, claiming he was gathering information on the Uralvagonzavod arms factory on behalf of the CIA.
The 54-year-old Whelan, who also holds British, Irish, and Canadian citizenship, has been in Russian custody since December 2018. He too was sentenced to 16 years for alleged espionage.
In recent days, speculation has been growing that there could be a larger prisoner exchange involving Germany and Belarus. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko recently pardoned German national Rico Krieger, who was sentenced to death. Hints of an exchange intensified after activists reported the transfer of at least seven political prisoners.
Russia, meanwhile, has reportedly been trying for years to secure the release of the so-called "Tiergarten murderer." The Russian intelligence agent is believed to have shot a Georgian man of Chechen origin in Berlin's "Kleiner Tiergarten" park in August 2019 on behalf of the Russian state.
The released Evan Gershkovich and Paul Whelan, both convicted of espionage, are now reportedly on their way out of Russia following a prisoner exchange between Russia and the US. With Paul Whelan's release, hopes for the freedom of other US citizens in Russian prisons have also been revitalized.
