Russian Assassin Vadim Krasikov Walks Free As Part Of Historic Prisoner Swap With US

Summary: “Today, three American citizens and one American green-card holder who were unjustly imprisoned in Russia are finally coming home: Paul Whelan, Evan Gershkovich, Alsu Kurmasheva, and Vladimir Kara-Murza,” Biden stated, unveiling the largest US-Russia prisoner swap since the end of the Cold War. “We remember all those still wrongfully detained or held hostage around the world. And reaffirm our pledge to their families: We see you. We are with you. And we will never stop working to bring your loved ones home where they belong.”

Gershkovich’s employer, The Wall Street Journal, confirmed the following brief details of all who were included in the swap:

• Gershkovich was handed over to U.S. authorities at an airport in Ankara, Turkey, and was set to board a plane to the U.S. Russia had kept the 32-year-old behind bars for more than a year on a false allegation of espionage.
• Former Marine Paul Whelan was also released, as well as journalist Alsu Kurmasheva and Vladimir Kara-Murza, a British-Russian dissident. Russia also released a number of political dissidents.
• The key to the prisoner deal was freeing Russian assassin Vadim Krasikov, convicted of murder in Germany after he gunned down a rebel leader in Berlin in 2019. Germany said its decision to release him wasn’t taken lightly.