Three Americans Home Thanks To Significant Prison Swap

Each of the Americans had been reportedly wrongfully detained and held for some time now.

Three Americans have returned home after a multi-part deal was approved included in a significant prison swap.

Wall Street Journal Reporter Evan Gershkovich, Former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan and Journalist Alsu Kurmasheva were brought back to the U.S. late Thursday night.

They landed at Joint Base Andrews outside Washington D.C. following a long journey from Turkey, where they were initially taken after their release from Russian custody.

President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris greeted them at the tarmac along with family members.

Each of the Americans had been reportedly wrongfully detained and held for some time now.

The historic swap followed months of negotiations and involved 24 prisoners across six countries. The key concession was the return of a Russian hitman who was detained in Germany.

President Biden said, “The deal that made this possible was a feat of diplomacy and friendship.”