Evan Gershkovich and Paul Whelan Released in Largest Prisoner Swap Since Cold War Involving 24 Prisoners

Aug 1, 2024, 02:06 PM

Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan have been released from Russian custody as part of a major prisoner exchange. Gershkovich, who was arrested in March 2023 on espionage charges and sentenced to 16 years in prison, spent 16 months behind bars. The exchange, which is the largest since the Cold War, involved 24 prisoners from multiple countries including the U.S., Russia, Germany, Poland, Slovenia, and Norway. The deal also secured the release of Alsu Kurmasheva, a journalist for Radio Free Europe, and other individuals including Vladimir Kara-Murza. The prisoners are now en route to destinations outside of Russia.