Categories: Politics

US-Russia prisoner swap: WSJ’s Gershkovich among 26 exchanged

swapswap

Turkish security sources confirmed the large-scale international prisoner swap that took place in Ankara involved 26 individuals including WSJ journalist Evan Gershkovich. (Photo: X)

Turkish security sources have confirmed that a large-scale international prisoner exchange took place in Ankara on August 1. The swap, orchestrated by Turkey’s National Intelligence Organization (MIT), involved 26 individuals from seven countries, including Wall Street Journal journalist Evan Gershkovich.

According to sources, the exchange involved prisoners from the United States, Germany, Poland, Slovenia, Norway, Russia, and Belarus. The operation, described as “the most comprehensive swap operation of recent times,” saw individuals transferred via seven planes arriving in Turkey from the participating countries.

The high-profile swap included several notable figures:

  • Evan Gershkovich, the Wall Street Journal reporter detained in Russia on espionage charges
  • Paul Whelan, a former U.S. Marine held in Russia since 2018
  • Rico Krieger, a German national held in Belarus
  • Ilya Yashin, a Russian opposition figure
  • Vadim Krasikov, an FSB officer held in Germany

In total, 10 detainees, including two children, were transferred to Russia, 13 to Germany, and three to the United States.

MİT’s role in the swap

Turkish officials emphasized MIT’s crucial role in facilitating dialogue between the involved parties and managing the entire operation, from initial negotiations to the final exchanges. The agency coordinated all security measures, logistical planning, and communication between the countries involved.

“In this context, the exchange of hostages in Ankara, where the swap took place, was conducted under MIT’s control. Due to the large number of hostages to be exchanged, all individuals were taken from the planes under the supervision of MIT personnel and transferred to secure areas. After the completion of verification procedures by the participating countries, health checks of the hostages, and fulfillment of other requested needs, the hostages were placed on the planes of their destination countries with MIT’s approval and instructions. The return of the planes of the participating countries was also carried out with MIT’s approval,” sources said.

This prisoner swap marks the largest exchange between the United States, Russia, and Germany in recent years, highlighting Turkey’s growing influence.

YetkinReport

Recent Posts

Türkiye is at the threshold for a solution to its chronic Kurdish problem

On May 9, Ayşegül Doğan, the spokesperson of the Kurdish-problem-focused DEM Party, was telling reporters…

2 days ago

Security is the new dynamic in EU-Turkish relations

On May 7, the European Parliament approved, by majority vote, the report of Türkiye rapporteur…

2 days ago

Kirkuk–Baniyas: the oil pipeline project that could sideline Türkiye

The energy map of the Middle East may be redrawn with the revival of the…

2 weeks ago

PKK tells Ankara no disarmament congress unless led by Öcalan

  Impatience is growing and nerves are on edge in Ankara because of a recent…

2 weeks ago

I will not beg Erdoğan for İmamoğlu’s freedom: opposition leader Özel

CHP leader Özgür Özel said that they “will not take a step back” from the…

2 weeks ago

İmamoğlu effect: Turkish Central Bank raised policy rate to 46 pct

With a surprise decision, the Central Bank (CBRT) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) raised the policy…

3 weeks ago