Moscow: Evan Gershkovich, a United States Journalist who was held in the jail of Moscow on the charges of espionage was released in a major prisoner swap between the Kremlin and Washington. Interestingly, before coming out of jail, he made a stunning demand before Russian President Vladimir Putin. The demand was that Putin should sit down with him for a face-off interview.
Gershkovich Requests Interview With Putin
Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich was under detention for 16 months. As per the procedure, he was asked to fill a presidential clemency request form. However, according to a Wall Street Journal report, instead of simply pleading for clemency, he courageously asked Putin if he would agree to an interview. Gershkovich and the United States have denied charges put upon him.
Gershkovich’s release on Thursday was part of a significant prisoner exchange, the largest since the Cold War, involving the release of 24 prisoners.
Detained Under Espionage Charges
Alongside Gershkovich, former US Marine Paul Whelan and Russian-American journalist Alsu Kurmasheva were also freed. Whelan had been detained since 2018 on espionage charges, while Kurmasheva was imprisoned for allegedly spreading false information about the Russian military.
The deal, which began taking shape in February through negotiations between President Biden and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, was kept under strict secrecy. The delicate nature of the talks necessitated analog communication and hand-delivered drafts to avoid leaks.”Alliances make a difference. They stepped up and took a chance for us,” Biden said of the deal, which also involved Germany, Poland, Slovenia, Norway, and Belarus on the other side.
Gershkovich, who had been held for nearly 500 days, was subjected to harsh conditions, including 23-hour solitary confinement in Moscow’s Lefortovo Prison. Despite the hardships, he kept his spirits high by reading Russian literary classics and engaging in conversations about football with his chief investigator.
Joe Biden Hails Prisoners Exchange
US President Joe Biden welcomed the prisoner exchange deal between West and Moscow, which will see the return of four Americans detained in Russia, terming it a “feat of diplomacy.
In addition to Whelan and Gershkovich, prominent Putin critic Vladimir Kara-Murza, who is a US permanent resident, and Russian-American journalist Alsu Kurmasheva were also freed.”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,” President Biden said in a statement.
‘Would Putin…’: US Journalist Makes Stunning Request To Russian President Before Coming Out of Jail world-news World News | Latest International Global World News | Todays Breaking News Headlines
