© Milwaukee Journal Sentinel-USA TODAY NETWORK
(U.S./Moscow) – A multi-country prisoner swap took place between Russia, United States and other countries Thursday morning. Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and American Paul Whelan will be released by Russia in a prisoner swap between the United States and other countries.
Gershkovich was detained by Russia’s Federal Security Service in March 2023 on charges of espionage. Russian officials said he was collecting secrets on the “production and repair of military equipment” for the CIA. The Wall Street Journal and the U.S. government have said he was wrongfully imprisoned. Gershkovich is American born and a New Jersey native.
Whelan, Canadian-born is a former United States Marine with U.S., British, Irish, and Canadian citizenship. He was arrested in Russia in December 2018, and accused of espionage as well. On June 15, 2020, he was sentenced to 16-years in prison.
The swap reportedly involves two Russian spies, alleged assassins, who posed as Argentinian citizens and were arrested in Slovenia in 2022. Other countries reportedly involved in the exchange include Germany and Belarus.
The two men could be back in the U.S. as soon as today. This marks the biggest prisoner swap since the Cold War. The swap has been confirmed by U.S. officials.
