WSJ reporter Evan Gershkovich and ex-Marine Paul Whelan are dramatically RELEASED by Russia as part of major prisoner swap with US

Wall Street Journal newsman Evan Gershkovich and erstwhile U.S. marine Paul Whelan person been released from jailhouse successful Russia.

The men were fto spell arsenic portion of a awesome captive switch pinch Moscow, said to impact astir 20 to 30 governmental prisoners.

Gershkovich, 32, was detained successful March 2023 connected espionage charges that nan United States says are illegitimate. He was sentenced to 16 years successful situation successful July.

Whelan, 54, has been imprisoned successful Russia since 2018 connected spying charges. The US has denied he was ever progressive successful espionage operations. 

Speculation that a captive switch was imminent was raised by Slovenian broadcaster, N1 Slovenia, earlier this week.

The reports cited an speech including nan US, Germany, Russia and Belarus.

f reports of up to 30 prisoners being exchanged is true, it would beryllium nan largest captive switch betwixt nan United States and Russia since nan extremity of nan Cold War. 

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