(The Guardian) Russia prisoner swap involving US journalist Evan Gershkovich under way
A major prisoner exchange between Russia and the west is under way involving the Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who has been freed from Russian custody, Bloomberg has reported, citing people familiar with the situation.
Sources with knowledge of the planned exchange confirmed to the Guardian that a major swap would take place on Thursday in a location outside Russia. They declined to make further details public until after the swap had taken place owing to sensitivity of the matter.
Gershkovich and the former US marine Paul Whelan, both accused by Russian authorities of espionage, had already been freed and were en route to a destination outside Russia, Bloomberg reported.
The Guardian understands the exchange will also involve Russian political prisoners being freed as well as numerous Russians jailed in the west for espionage, murder and other crimes being returned to Russia.
Turkish intelligence agency says it's coordinating swap
The Turkish National Intelligence Agency (MIT) said it would coordinate an extensive prisoner swap today, Reuters reported. “A (prisoner) exchange operation will take place today under the coordination of our organisation,” the agency said in a statement.
It added: Our organization has undertaken a major mediation role in this exchange operation, which is the most comprehensive of the recent period.
A major prisoner exchange between Russia and the west is under way involving the Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who has been freed from Russian custody, Bloomberg has reported, citing people familiar with the situation.
Sources with knowledge of the planned exchange confirmed to the Guardian that a major swap would take place on Thursday in a location outside Russia. They declined to make further details public until after the swap had taken place owing to sensitivity of the matter.
Gershkovich and the former US marine Paul Whelan, both accused by Russian authorities of espionage, had already been freed and were en route to a destination outside Russia, Bloomberg reported.
The Guardian understands the exchange will also involve Russian political prisoners being freed as well as numerous Russians jailed in the west for espionage, murder and other crimes being returned to Russia.
Turkish intelligence agency says it's coordinating swap
The Turkish National Intelligence Agency (MIT) said it would coordinate an extensive prisoner swap today, Reuters reported. “A (prisoner) exchange operation will take place today under the coordination of our organisation,” the agency said in a statement.
It added: Our organization has undertaken a major mediation role in this exchange operation, which is the most comprehensive of the recent period.
