01.08.2024 16:51
A prisoner exchange took place between Russia and the United States at Ankara Esenboğa Airport, coordinated by the Turkish National Intelligence Organization (MIT). In a statement issued by the MIT, it was stated that "Our organization has played a significant mediation role in this operation, which is the most comprehensive in recent times." The exchange involved a total of 26 individuals, with 3 being from the United States and 8 from Russia.
The largest prisoner exchange since World War II is taking place between the United States and Russia under the coordination of the National Intelligence Organization. Important figures are among the individuals being exchanged.
A comprehensive agreement has been reached between Russia and the United States regarding the prisoner exchange. As part of the agreement, which includes Germany, Slovenia, and Belarus, it is stated that three American citizens, including Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who is imprisoned in Russia, and Russian prisoners, will be released today.
A senior US official confirmed that Gershkovich, as well as US Marine Paul Whelan and Russian-American radio journalist Alsu Kurmasheva, will be released under the agreement accepted by the Biden administration. It was reported that the prisoner exchange has not yet taken place.
It was stated that 24 individuals, including 8 Russians, will be released under the agreement, and it was noted that Kremlin critic and dual citizen of the UK and Russia Vladimir Kara-Murza, Russian opposition figure Ilya Yashin, and human rights activist Oleg Orlov are among them.
It was stated in the statement that detailed information about the exchange will be shared later.