Russia And U.S. Prison Swap To Free Two Wrongfully Detained Americans

The swap includes Wall Street Journal Reporter Evan Gershkovich as well as former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan.

A significant prisoner swap involving multiple countries is now underway.

As part of a multi-part deal, Russia and the United States have agreed to swap prisoners.

The swap will allow two wrongfully detained American citizens held in Moscow to return home. That includes Wall Street Journal Reporter Evan Gershkovich as well as former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan.

Gershkovich was arrested in March of 2023 for espionage, a charge he and U.S. officials denied, saying he was targeted for being a journalist and an American.

Whelan was arrested in December of 2018 while traveling on an American passport in Russia. He was also accused of espionage and those allegations were denied as well.

However, Whelan was convicted on charges in June of 2020 and sentenced to 16-years in prison.

Now, after years of negotiations, both are set to be released and returned to the U.S..