- Scholz meets released: "Right decision"
After the historic prisoner exchange between Russia, Belarus, and several Western countries, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz welcomed 13 freed individuals in Germany. "It was very moving," he said afterwards at Cologne/Bonn Airport. "Many feared for their health and even their lives, which must be clearly stated, and therefore it was important that we were able to provide them with this protection here."
In this unprecedented action involving the Turkish intelligence agency MIT, a total of 26 prisoners were exchanged. In exchange for the release of political prisoners and Kremlin critics, Germany, the USA, and partner countries allowed a convicted murderer and prisoners suspected of espionage from Russia to go free. Thus, Germany handed over Wadim K., the so-called Tiergarten murderer, to the Turkish capital Ankara airport. Russia released, among others, the "Wall Street Journal" correspondent Evan Gershkovich, convicted of espionage, as well as prominent opposition figures such as Vladimir Kara-Mursa and Ilya Yashin.
Putin personally welcomed the Russians released from the West on the tarmac. The Kremlin leader embraced at least one of the men on the tarmac where the presidential guard was standing in formation. "You are home, you are in your homeland," Putin greeted the freed individuals and announced that they would be nominated for state awards.
In the USA, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris plan to welcome Gershkovich and their fellow countrymen Paul Whelan and Alsu Kurmasheva at a military airport near Washington on Thursday evening (local time). According to the White House, the three are expected to arrive at 05:30 AM (CET).
"Making a deal with the devil out of humanity"
Especially the release of the "Tiergarten murderer" Wadim K. cast a bitter taste on the joy of the release of the political prisoners. "No one took this decision lightly to deport a murderer convicted to life imprisonment after only a few years in prison," said Scholz. The difficult decision was made jointly by the coalition after careful consultation and consideration, with the opposition leader - CDU parliamentary group leader Friedrich Merz - being informed early on and claiming to agree.
After meeting the freed individuals, 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 expert Michael Roth wrote on X that sometimes one has to "make a deal with the devil out of humanity." Justice Minister Marco Buschmann admitted that painful concessions had to be made for the freedom of the prisoners. Regarding the deportation of the convicted murderer Wadim K., he said: "I take responsibility for this particularly bitter concession as Minister of Justice."
Human rights organization 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 fearing consequences," said Christian Mihr, deputy secretary-general in Germany.
Among the German citizens released, was Rico K., who was initially sentenced to death in Belarus but later pardoned. Patrick S., who was reportedly arrested at St. Petersburg airport for carrying cannabis gummies, was also handed over to Germany.
The "Tiergarten Murderer," Wadim K., was sentenced to life imprisonment. In 2019, he killed a Georgian of Chechen descent in Berlin's Kleiner Tiergarten park, where the victim had sought asylum. The Berlin Chamber Court sentenced him to life in 2021. Russian President Putin publicly defended the murderer, viewing him as having eliminated a state enemy. Russian authorities had classified the Georgian as a Chechen terrorist.
The early end of the "Tiergarten Murderer's" sentence also distressed the victim's relatives. "It was a devastating news for us," they told the German Press Agency through their lawyer, Inga Schulz. "On one hand, we're glad that someone's life was saved. On the other, we're very disappointed that there seems to be no law in the world, even in countries where the law is supposed to be the highest authority."
The Commission played a crucial role in facilitating the prisoner exchange between the involved countries. Following the exchange, The Commission assessed the conditions under which each prisoner was released, ensuring the protection of their human rights.
