Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan are expected to be released in a historic prisoner exchange with Russia.
The Hill reports:
The White House did not respond to requests for comment about the exchange.
Whelan was arrested in 2018 and later convicted of spying, charges that he, his family and the U.S. deny. He was sentenced to 16 years in prison. The U.S. government designated him “wrongfully detained” but had failed to secure his release in earlier prisoner exchanges that saw the release of American Trevor Reed and WNBA star Brittney Griner, who were released in separate exchanges in 2022.
Gershkovich was arrested in Yekaterinburg in March 2023 and accused of collecting state secrets on the Russian military on behalf of the U.S. government. He became the first American journalist to be detained in Russia since the Cold War and was sentenced in July to 16 years in prison.
Bloomberg was the first to report on the release, citing unnamed sources.
Gershkovich was detained by Russian authorities in March 2023, accused of espionage – a charge both he and his employer vehemently deny.
Background and Arrest
Who is Evan Gershkovich?
Evan Gershkovich is an American journalist who worked as a correspondent for The Wall Street Journal. He has been reporting on Russia and the surrounding regions for several years, focusing on political, economic and social issues.
Arrest Details
Gershkovich was arrested on March 29, 2023, in the city of Yekaterinburg, located in the Ural Mountains. Russian authorities claimed he was caught “red-handed” trying to obtain state secrets about a military-industrial complex.
Charges and Allegations
Espionage Charges
Gershkovich was charged under Article 276 of the Russian Criminal Code, which pertains to espionage. If convicted, he faced up to 20 years in prison.
Russian Authorities' Claims
Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) accused him of collecting classified information about a defense plant, allegedly acting on instructions from the United States government.
Denials and Defense
Gershkovich's Position
Gershkovich and The Wall Street Journal have strongly denied the espionage charges. They assert that he was conducting legitimate journalistic work and that the accusations are baseless.
International Response
The U.S. government and various international journalism organizations have condemned the arrest, labeling it as a violation of press freedom. The U.S. State Department has declared Gershkovich “wrongfully detained” and has called for his immediate release.
Like Gershkovich, Paul Whelan, a former U.S. Marine, was imprisoned in Russia under accusations of espionage.
Background and Arrest
Who is Paul Whelan?
Paul Whelan is a U.S. citizen with citizenship in Canada, the United Kingdom and Ireland. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps and later worked in corporate security. At the time of his arrest, Whelan was the director of global security for BorgWarner, an automotive parts manufacturer.
Arrest Details
Whelan was arrested by Russian authorities on December 28, 2018, in Moscow. He was reportedly in Russia to attend a friend's wedding and was detained at his hotel.
Charges and Allegations
Espionage Charges
Whelan was charged with espionage under Article 276 of the Russian Criminal Code. The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) accused him of being a spy for the United States.
Russian Authorities' Claims
The FSB alleged that Whelan was caught receiving a USB drive containing classified information. They claimed that he was conducting espionage activities on behalf of a Western intelligence agency.
Denials and Defense
Whelan's Position
Whelan has consistently denied the charges against him, stating that he was framed and that the USB drive was planted on him. He has maintained that he was in Russia solely for tourism and personal reasons.
Family and Legal Defense
Whelan's family and legal team argue that he was a victim of a politically motivated arrest. They claim that the charges are fabricated and that he is being used as a pawn in Russia's geopolitical tensions with the West.
Trial and Conviction
Legal Proceedings
Whelan's trial began in June 2020 and was conducted behind closed doors, which raised concerns about the transparency of the judicial process. The trial included limited access to legal representation and diplomatic support.
Conviction and Sentence
In June 2020, Whelan was convicted of espionage and sentenced to 16 years in a Russian labor camp. His conviction was widely criticized by Western governments and human rights organizations.
International Response
U.S. Government Reaction
The U.S. government has condemned Whelan's arrest and conviction, calling it unjust and politically motivated. U.S. officials have consistently called for his release and have labeled him as “wrongfully detained.”
Diplomatic Efforts
Efforts to secure Whelan's release have included diplomatic negotiations and potential prisoner swaps.
This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.
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