Three US citizens released from Russian custody in a prisoner swap finally arrived at Andrews Air Force Base in Washington DC, on Thursday (1/8) evening.
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris greeted former US Marine Paul Whelan and two journalists – Evan Gerskovich and Alsu Kurmasheva – at the steps of the plane carrying them.
The three were among 16 political prisoners released by the United States and its allies. In return, eight Russians were freed from the United States, Germany and several other countries.
Earlier, relatives flanked President Joe Biden as he announced at the White House that “Today we're bringing home Paul, Evan and Vladimir.”
Kurmasheva's husband, Pavel Butorin, and the couple's daughters, Bibi and Miriam, came to greet her.
Speaking briefly with VOA before departing for Andrews Air Force Base, Butorin told VOA, “Today our daughters truly witnessed a historic step of determination and compassion from the American government and its allies,” said Butorin, who was seen wearing a friendship pin and bracelet that read “Free Alsu.”
He added that the mass prisoner swap showed “the free world places a higher value on human life and families.”
On a nearby sofa, the couple's daughters chatted happily, an air of joy settling over the family after months of ordeals.
News of Kurmasheva and Gershkovich's safe return was greeted with joy by the media and their support groups.
Newspaper editorial room Wall Street Journal erupted in cheers and applause when editor-in-chief Emma Tucker announced that their correspondent in Moscow would be returning home.
Notice board on top of building Wall Street Journal in New York was covered with signs: “Free at Last,” referring to Gershkovich's release.
Gershkovich has spent more than 490 days in prison on trumped-up charges.
The heads of the U.S. Agency for Global Media and its networks, Voice of America and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, all also issued statements welcoming the safe return of RFE/RL editor Alsu Kurmasheva. (em/rs)
