Brussels 01.08.2024 “The European Union is relieved by the release and transfer to freedom outside Russia and Belarus of a number of political prisoners, including EU citizens, facilitated with the help of Türkiye” reads the statement by the EU top diplomat Josep Borrell on the release of number of political prisoners.

“The released activists, human rights defenders and journalists have been unjustly persecuted and imprisoned by Russian and Belarusian regimes for political reasons and held in intolerable conditions.

“Political prisoners and all those still unjustly detained in Russian and Belarusian prisons must be immediately and unconditionally released” the statement concludes.

The biggest prisoner exchange between Russia and the West since the Cold War era took place earlier today with 24 people released in total, the U.S. officials confirmed.

The White House announced that 16 prisoners had been freed and were on their way back to Europe and the U.S. Among them is Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich.
Three Americans are being freed as part of the deal the U.S. – former Marine Paul Whelan and Russian American reporter Alsu Kurmasheva.

In return, eight Russians have been released from prisons in the US, Norway, Germany, Poland and Slovenia, including individuals accused of intelligence activities.
Today the swap took place on the tarmac at Ankara airport.