Exchange of Iranian 'Spy' for Ukrainian 'Murderer'

Reports indicate that a Ukrainian citizen accused of murder has been exchanged for an Iranian citizen accused of espionage. According to the TSN network in Ukraine, Andriy Novichko, who was sentenced to death in Iran for the murder of an Iranian sailor, returned to Ukraine on Thursday, January 10. Andriy Novichko was exchanged for Ali Jadoui, an Iranian prisoner in Ukraine. The TSN network reports that Petro Poroshenko, the President of Ukraine, pardoned Ali Jadoui, who returned to Iran on Wednesday. The report adds that Ali Jadoui was sentenced to 11 years for espionage on behalf of Iran. According to Tasnim, Manocher Moradi, the Iranian ambassador to Ukraine, tweeted: 'Today, two imprisoned citizens, Iranian and Ukrainian, returned to their homeland. This is the result of dialogue, understanding, and diplomacy. Congratulations to the families of Jadoui and Novichko, and thanks to the officials of both countries and all those who helped with this humanitarian action, especially the Iranian family of the victim who pardoned Novichko based on Islamic compassion.' According to the UN agency in Ukraine, Ali Jadoui entered Kharkiv Aviation Institute in 2005 to study biomedical engineering and was pursuing a doctorate at the time of his arrest. The report states that in 2016, Mr. Jadoui had offered his friend at the Scientific Center of the Kharkiv Institute of Physics and Technology to sell military-secret radio technology for 5,000 euros. Ali Jadoui denied the charges but was sentenced to 11 years in prison.