Major Prisoner Exchange in Turkey; Three Citizens and One U.S. Green Card Holder Exited Russia

26 prisoners held in seven different countries were exchanged in Turkey. Among the exchanged prisoners were Ivan Gershkovich, an American journalist, and Paul Whelan, a former U.S. Marine, Alsu Kormashova, a journalist working for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, and a Russian journalist with U.S. permanent residency named Vladimir Kara-Murza, who were released from Russian prisons. The Turkish National Intelligence Organization (MIT) announced on Thursday the execution of the largest prisoner exchange operation in recent years. In a statement released by the organization, it was mentioned that 26 prisoners held in prisons across seven countries were exchanged. According to the Turkish government statement, the prisoners were in prisons in the United States, Germany, Poland, Slovenia, Norway, Russia, and Belarus, and were transferred by seven airplanes, including two from the U.S. and one from each of the other countries, except Belarus. The statement indicated that 10 of the exchanged prisoners were sent to Russia, 13 to Germany, and three others to the United States. Biden: Efforts to Free All Wrongfully Detained American Citizens Worldwide Continue. Joe Biden, the President of the United States, stated in a statement that Ivan Gershkovich, Paul Whelan, and Alsu Kormashova, all U.S. citizens, and Vladimir Kara-Murza, a U.S. permanent resident, who were wrongfully imprisoned in Russia, are on their way back to the United States. He noted the release of five German citizens and seven Russian citizens, all of whom were imprisoned in Russia, and reminded that some of them had been wrongfully detained for years, suffering unimaginable hardships during that time. Biden further thanked some of America's allies, including Germany, Poland, Slovenia, Norway, and Turkey, for their support during the 'difficult and complex' negotiations that led to the release of these prisoners. He mentioned that over 70 American citizens imprisoned abroad have been freed during his presidency and reaffirmed his commitment to continue efforts to free all American citizens wrongfully detained worldwide. U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Linda Thomas-Greenfield expressed joy in a statement regarding the release of these three citizens and one U.S. permanent resident, as well as seven Russian citizens from Russian prisons. She referenced her previous meetings with some relatives of Paul Whelan and Ivan Gershkovich, stating that she had promised them that the United States would not rest until the ruthless and unjust practice of Russia detaining citizens of other countries for leverage was ended. The U.N. Ambassador concluded her statement by emphasizing that returning wrongfully detained American citizens worldwide is a priority for the Biden administration, which will continue its efforts to bring all of them home. Amanda Bennett's Reaction to the End of a 'Painful Chapter' for a Journalist. Amanda Bennett, CEO of the U.S. Agency for Global Media, reacted to the 'extraordinary' news of Alsu Kormashova's release from Russian prison, thanking all her supporters and reminding that 'journalism is not a crime.' In a brief statement, she expressed happiness for Ms. Kormashova's return to her loved ones and family and the end of 'this painful chapter' in the life of this dual U.S.-Russian citizen journalist working for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Michael Abramowitz, President of Voice of America, expressed satisfaction on Thursday regarding the release of American journalists from Russian prisons, emphasizing the need for media and press freedom worldwide. Mr. Abramowitz stated that the release of journalists such as Alsu Kormashova, Ivan Gershkovich, and Vladimir Kara-Murza is a glimmer of hope for the freedom of other imprisoned journalists worldwide, adding that 'this event is particularly significant for Voice of America due to its connection with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.' He also expressed gratitude for the efforts of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty in securing the release of their colleague and reaffirmed his commitment to pursuing the freedom of Fang Chi Dong and Sithew Aung Myint, two imprisoned Voice of America journalists.