2 months ago
Evan Gershkovich and Paul Whelan are backmost connected US ungraded aft being freed successful a historical captive swap.
The level carrying nan Americans from their imprisonment successful Russia landed precocious Thursday, aft taking disconnected from Ankara, Turkey astir 8:00 p.m. section time.
In nan aerial for astir 10 hours, nan formation followed a four-hour one from Moscow to Ankara. The level landed astatine Joint Base Andrews successful Maryland conscionable earlier midnight, aft Gershkovich, a 32-year-old WSJ reporter, was seen boarding successful Turkey.
He had been accused of espionage, and was detained successful Russia while moving arsenic a journalist connected March 29 of past year. Whelan, a 54-year-old ex Marine, was sentenced to 16 years successful 2020 aft being detained 2 years earlier connected suspicion of spying.
Both were freed Thursday, arsenic portion of nan largest East-West captive switch since nan Cold War. Also freed was Russian-American journalist Alsu Kurmasheva, who was sentenced to complete six years successful a Russian situation successful a rapid, concealed proceedings precocious past month.
The level carrying nan Americans from their imprisonment successful Russia landed precocious Thursday, aft taking disconnected from Ankara, Turkey astir 8:00 p.m. section time
The level landed astatine Joint Base Andrews successful Maryland conscionable earlier midnight, pinch Evan Gershkovich, a 32-year-old newsman imprisoned past twelvemonth nether suspicion of espionage, seen disembarking here. Kamal Harris, seen astatine left, was first to shake hands him
Minutes earlier nan trio landed, President Joe Biden and his motorcade made its measurement to nan landing area, aft Vice President Kamala Harris, who traveled separately, arrived soon before.
Several Wall Street Journal labor were seen arsenic well, anxiously awaiting their coworker's presence connected nan tarmac aft astir a year-and-a-half.
The prisoners were seen shaking hands pinch nan president and vice president connected nan landing strip, speaking concisely arsenic onlookers cheered.
Earlier successful nan day, Biden - who is credited pinch negotiating nan merchandise - delivered remarks from nan White House while flanked by nan hostages' relatives.
The aforesaid group received news of their loved ones landing straight from Biden, a US charismatic said, aft Biden said to nan prisoners complete nan telephone earlier connected during their journey.
'Their sadistic ordeal is over, and they're free,' Biden, 81 said conscionable aft noon Thursday, a half time earlier nan trio's landing.
Adding really nan erstwhile prisoners had conscionable near Russia and were connected their measurement home, he described speaking to nan freed prisoners from nan Oval Office. He said their relatives were capable to arsenic well.
He went connected to telephone nan multi-nation woody involving 7 abstracted countries 'a feat of diplomacy', arsenic good arsenic 1 of 'friendship.'
Meanwhile, Russian State tv besides touted nan talks and consequent statement arsenic a victory.
Harris is seen greeting nan incorrect incarcerated Wall Street Journal newsman here
Joe Biden is seen greeting Paul Whelan, a 54-year-old ex Marine, who was sentenced to 16 years successful 2020 aft being detained successful Moscow 2 years earlier connected suspicion of spying
Also freed was Russian-American journalist Alsu Kurmasheva, who was sentenced to complete six years successful a Russian situation successful a rapid, concealed proceedings precocious past month
She was seen embracing nan president arsenic well, aft speaking concisely pinch some him and Harris
The female was past seen moving into nan arms of her family, aft escaping a situation condemnation besides for alleged espionage
This is simply a processing story; please cheque backmost for much updates.
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