Russian-American Journalist Freed in Prisoner Exchange with Canada
Canadian-born Paul Whelan and an honorary Canadian citizen were released on Aug. 1 in the largest prisoner swap between the United States and Russia in post-Soviet history.
President Joe Biden called the deal that facilitated this release a diplomatic achievement, following a conversation with some of the freed prisoners.
In this multinational agreement, 16 individuals, including Whelan, Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, journalist Alsu Kurmasheva, and Russian opposition leader Vladimir Kara-Murza, were liberated from Russian detention.
Kara-Murza, who survived two poisoning attempts, was granted honorary Canadian citizenship in June for his commitment to democracy, as praised by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Biden expressed empathy for the suffering and uncertainty these individuals endured, with some unjustly held for years, as he acknowledged their release.
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Their ordeal is finally over,” Biden remarked.
Whelan, originally from Canada with British origins, was arrested in Moscow in 2018, despite protesting the false espionage charges. He spent 2,043 days in Russian custody, with his family calling it an instance of leveraging individuals for concessions.
No comment was provided by Global Affairs Canada.
Gershkovich and Kurmasheva were also victims of secretive trials and convictions in Russia before their release as part of the prisoner exchange.
Praising the collaboration and diplomacy involved, Biden emphasized the significance of alliances in ensuring safety for Americans.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken credited allies like Germany, Poland, Norway, and Slovenia for their contributions to the successful negotiation.
While multiple prisoner swaps have occurred during the Biden administration, this recent exchange required significant concessions from various countries, including Germany’s release of Vadim Krasikov to Russia.
Russia also received accused sleeper agents from Slovenia, an academic suspected of espionage from Norway, and a detainee from Poland.
