IN RUSSIAN CAPTIVITY: Evan Gershkovich (tv) and Paul Whelan. Photo: AP
Vladimir Putin (71) does not rule out that the two Americans sitting in Russian prisons could be exchanged. But Russia’s president believes that the US must then give in.
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There is no information on which requirements the Americans must meet.
- Evan Gershkovich (32) was remanded in custody on Friday. The Wall Street Journal journalist is accused of espionage.
- Paul Whelan (53) has been sentenced to 16 years in prison for espionage, but denies guilt himself. He is a former soldier.
When Vladimir Putin held a press conference for the first time in two years on Thursday, the New York Times was allowed to ask questions. They asked why the two were refused to go home to the United States. President Putin replied:
– We do not refuse to return them. We want to reach an agreement, but these agreements must be mutually acceptable. There is a dialogue on this matter, but it is not easy.
Vladimir Putin during Thursday’s press conference and call-in program on Russian TV. Photo: ALEXANDER KAZAKOV / AFP / NTB
Little by little:
– I hope that we will find a solution, but the American side must listen to us.
Evan Gershkovich was arrested by the FSB on March 29, 2023. He faces 10 to 20 years in prison. According to Russian intelligence, the journalist operated “on instructions from the American side, information that constitutes a state secret about the activities of one of the companies in the Russian military-industrial complex”. The American was arrested in Yekaterinburg, where this military enterprise is located.
On Wednesday this week, US national security adviser Jake Sullivan said the release of Wall Street Journal correspondent Evan Gershkovich is a priority for President Joe Biden, reports Wall Street Journal.
US Foreign Ministry spokesman Matthew Miller recently stated that Russia had rejected a new offer to release Gershkovich and Paul Whelan. He claimed that the US had made a “significant offer”.
Evan Gershkovich and his employer, The Wall Street Journal, categorically deny the allegations against him. Whelan also denies criminal guilt for espionage.
One year ago, basketball star Brittney Griner was traded for notorious arms dealer Viktor Bout. She was charged with violating the drug laws.
Norwegian Frode Berg was exchanged in November 2019. By then he had spent almost two years in a Russian prison and received a sentence of 14 years for espionage.
Gerschkovich is being held in the same infamous prison in Moscow that Berg was in all along: Lefortovo.
The Putin session on Thursday lasted four hours and 12 minutes. Here you can see two of the funniest minutes:
Published:
Published: 14.12.23 at 22:18
2023-12-14 21:18:49
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