Three Americans wrongfully imprisoned in Russia returned to American soil late Thursday.
Former Marine Paul Whelan and journalists Alsu Kurmasheva and Evan Gershkovich were released from Russian prisons following a historic prisoner swap deal between Washington and Moscow.
The deal allowed for the release of 16 political prisoners in exchange for eight individuals wanted by the Kremlin.
A long-awaited moment. The three Americans released on Thursday from Russian prisons, arrived at the military base “Andrews” near Washington.
On the runway, the returnees were welcomed by US President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and their families.
Wall Street Journal correspondent Evan Gershkovich, Radio Free Europe editor Alsu Kurmasheva and former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan were freed thanks to a historic deal involving several allies to free 16 political prisoners held in Russia . Their prize: eight individuals the Kremlin had demanded be returned.
Former Marine Whelan is the American who has spent the longest time in Russian prisons. Arrested in Moscow in 2018, the veteran was serving a 16-year prison sentence. He and the United States have denied the espionage charges against him.
Mr Whelan told reporters he could not believe he was finally coming home.
“Getting off the plane, I saw the president, the vice president… it was a good homecoming. I can't wait to see my family, to get rid of five years, seven months and five days of absolute nonsense from the Russian government.” tha ish-marine american.
US President Joe Biden welcomed the agreement, which he said is the result of “diplomacy and friendship”, while praising Washington's allies for, as he put it, “their brave decisions”.
“Many countries helped to achieve this. They cooperated in difficult negotiations at my request and I personally thank them all”, said President Biden at a briefing at the White House, surrounded by family members of the released Americans.
The editors of the Wall Street Journal welcomed with applause and cheers the news of the release of the correspondent from Moscow Gershkovich, who spent almost 500 days in Russian prisons.
“One does not understand the burden until after his release, as if he feels the liberation. Now people realize how burdened and bored they were.” says Jason Conti, a lawyer for Dow Jones, which manages the Wall Street Journal.
Similar experiences in the editorial office of Radio Europe e Lire in Prague after the release of the journalist Kurmasheva. Her husband, who works in this agency, spoke about the ordeal of the family's suffering.
“At the moment we are overwhelmed with emotions. We are trying to pull ourselves together after everything that happened today. We were in the Oval Office of the White House next to President Biden and we heard Alsu's voice. It was something special. But it has been an extremely difficult year for us.” it is.
Ms. Kurmasheva stayed in Russian prisons for 10 months. Russia has declared Radio Free Europe as “foreign agents” and “undesirable”.
“It is very dangerous for many journalists we employ. They are on the front line, constantly risking their lives,” says Diane Zeleny, head of foreign affairs at Radio Free Europe.
Analysts say that by targeting critics and the media, Moscow is denying the Russian public access to the few sources of independent news.
The West released eight individuals wanted by Russia. At the top of Moscow's list is Vadim Krasinov, a colonel in Russia's FSB security service who was serving a life sentence in Germany for killing an exiled dissident in a Berlin park.
The German government said his release was not an easy decision. Other Russian prisoners freed in the exchange were Romand Seleznev, convicted in the United States of cybercrimes, and the Russian Dultsevs family, found guilty by a Slovenian court on charges of posing as Argentines for espionage purposes.
