Evan Gershkovich

2024 - 8 - 2

Evan's Epiphany: From Cold Prison Cells to Soaring Freedom!

Cold War - Evan Gershkovich - Geopolitics - Human Rights - Journalism - Paul Whelan - Political Prisoners - Press Freedom - Prisoner Swap - US-Russia Relations - Vladimir Putin

Evan Gershkovich is back home after a chilling ordeal! Discover the story behind the biggest prisoner swap since the Cold War.

In a dramatic turn of events that reads like a gripping spy thriller, US journalist Evan Gershkovich has been released from Russian custody as part of a monumental prisoner swap involving 26 individuals. This swap marks the largest exchange since the Cold War and includes the release of various political prisoners, including the outspoken British-Russian critic Vladimir Kara-Murza. The deal, which was brokered with assistance from Turkey, brought together not only American and Russian prisoners but also included individuals from several other countries. It appears the stakes were high for all involved, as the tension between the West and Vladimir Putin's Russia continues to unfold like a never-ending saga.

Evan Gershkovich, who was initially arrested in March 2023 under dubious charges of espionage, became a rallying symbol for press freedom. His sham trial concluded with a staggering 16-year sentence, making his release a particularly personal victory for journalists worldwide. The hashtag "#FreeEvan" took social media by storm as supporters rallied for his release, transforming a political chess game into a global human rights campaign. As he embarked on the journey home, it was clear that his experience resonated beyond mere headlines, reflecting the fundamental rights of journalists and free expression.

But this swap holds water beyond just Evan's story; it also sheds light on the fates of numerous Russian political prisoners. By freeing them from the depths of a system that silences dissent, this deal unearths broader implications for political freedoms globally. Interestingly, one of the exchanged individuals was Vadim Krasikov, a hitman linked to a high-profile assassination case in Germany, raising eyebrows and questions about moral judgments in international prisoner exchanges. The swap clearly suggests that diplomacy can be messy, with lives and freedoms playing poker in the background.

As the dust settles, it's essential to consider the sheer historical weight of this event. Gordon Brown, the former UK Prime Minister, noted that the release of political prisoners is a beacon of hope against the backdrop of increasing authoritarianism. The fact that such diplomatic exchanges are still occurring would baffle anyone familiar with the Cold War mentality, making this swap not just a tale of negotiations but a rekindling of international dialogue.

In conclusion, while Evan Gershkovich’s harrowing experience sheds light on the struggles journalists face in oppressive regimes, it also ignites hope for political prisoners everywhere. After 500 days of uncertainty, Gershkovich's story serves as a reminder: some battles may seem insurmountable, but in the grand chessboard of international relations, hope always finds a way to checkmate despair. And believe it or not, this wasn't just about prisoners; this was a party, with countries exchanging lives like trading cards, proving once again that in diplomacy, anything can happen!

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Image courtesy of "The Independent"

Reporter Evan Gershkovich and US marine Paul Whelan released ... (The Independent)

British-Russian Putin critic Vladimir Kara-Murza also released alongside a number of political prisoners.

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Image courtesy of "The Guardian"

Russia frees Evan Gershkovich and others in biggest prisoner swap ... (The Guardian)

Numerous foreigners and Russian political prisoners released as Germany frees hitman Vadim Krasikov as part of exchange.

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Image courtesy of "Financial Times"

US journalist Evan Gershkovich released in Russia prisoner swap (Financial Times)

Russia, US and other countries exchange 26 prisoners in largest transfer since the cold war.

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Image courtesy of "BBC News"

Evan Gershkovich: Who is the Wall Street Journal reporter? (BBC News)

The Wall Street Journal reporter will be freed in the largest prisoner swap between Russia and the West since the Cold War.

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Image courtesy of "ITV News"

Journalist Evan Gershkovich 'free and on his way home' as part of ... (ITV News)

From a Moscow jail cell, back to the US. ITV News Correspondent Robert Moore follows the release of journalist Evan Gershkovich ...

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Image courtesy of "Poynter"

Wall Street Journal journalist Evan Gershkovich freed in a prisoner ... (Poynter)

Gershkovich was arrested in March 2023 on trumped up charges of espionage. After a sham trial last month, he was sentenced to 16 years in prison.

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Image courtesy of "Aljazeera.com"

Evan Gershkovich among 26 freed in major Russia-West prisoner ... (Aljazeera.com)

The swap, mediated by Turkey, involved 26 prisoners and seven different countries, security officials say.

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Image courtesy of "The Guardian"

How Evan Gershkovich was finally freed after a 500-day odyssey in ... (The Guardian)

Gershkovich was the first reporter to be charged with espionage since the cold war, and Putin barely hid his aim.

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Image courtesy of "The Economist"

The deal that freed Evan Gershkovich was more than a prisoner swap (The Economist)

It freed Russian prisoners of conscience as well as Westerners taken hostage by Vladimir Putin | Europe.

Russia prisoner swap live: Joe Biden and Kamla Harris greet Evan ... (BBC News)

Evan Gershkovich, Paul Whelan, and Alsu Kurmasheva are greeted by President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris in Maryland.

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Image courtesy of "The Guardian"

Russia prisoner swap involving US journalist Evan Gershkovich ... (The Guardian)

Gershkovich and ex-marine Paul Whelan have been freed and are en route to a destination outside Russia, say reports.

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Image courtesy of "Jewish Chronicle"

Evan Gershkovich set to be released by Russia in prisoner swap (Jewish Chronicle)

The Jewish American journalist was sentenced to 16 years in prison.

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Image courtesy of "CNN"

Russia releases Evan Gershkovich and Paul Whelan in historic ... (CNN)

The United States and Russia carried out a historic prisoner exchange Thursday when two dozen detainees, including former US Marine Paul Whelan and Wall ...

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Image courtesy of "Reuters"

Who is Evan Gershkovich, US journalist released in Russia prisoner ... (Reuters)

Evan Gershkovich landed what he told friends he regarded as a dream assignment in Moscow in 2022 - reporting for a famous newspaper on one of the world's ...

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Image courtesy of "Press Gazette"

WSJ reporter Evan Gershkovich is free in Russia prisoner exchange (Press Gazette)

Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich is on his way home from Russia after more than a year in a major prisoner exchange.

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Image courtesy of "The Independent"

Evan Gershkovich and fellow freed Americans welcomed back to US ... (The Independent)

President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris welcomed the Americans freed from Russia back to US soil late on Thursday after the biggest profile ...

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Image courtesy of "Atlantic Council"

Experts react: What to know about the release of Evan Gershkovich ... (Atlantic Council)

A prisoner swap has freed American journalists Evan Gershkovich and Alsu Kurmasheva, former US Marine Paul Whelan, and Russian political dissidents Vladimir ...

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Image courtesy of "ABC News"

Evan Gershkovich, Paul Whelan greeted by President Biden, VP ... (ABC News)

The Americans were part of an extraordinary 24-prisoner exchange involving Russia, the United States and several other countries, the largest of its kind since ...

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Image courtesy of "The Guardian"

Evan Gershkovich release: Biden and Harris greet Americans freed ... (The Guardian)

Emotional scenes at Andrews air force base as Evan Gershkovich, Paul Whelan and Alsu Kurmasheva step onto American soil.

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Image courtesy of "ITV News"

Journalist Evan Gershkovich lands back in America after Russia ... (ITV News)

Evan Gershkovich, Paul Whelan and Alsu Kurmasheva were among a group of 24 prisoners freed as part of the deal, as ITV News Reporter Caroline Lewis explains ...

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Image courtesy of "Sky News"

Freed journalist Evan Gershkovich raises plight of other political ... (Sky News)

"Nobody knows them publicly," reporter Evan Gershkovich said after touching down on US soil. He was referring to other political prisoners in Russia and ...

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Image courtesy of "The Guardian"

First Thing: Evan Gershkovich freed in largest US-Russian prisoner ... (The Guardian)

Joe Biden and Kamala Harris meet Wall Street Journal reporter as he steps off the plane in Washington. Plus, Simone Biles wins sixth Olympic gold.

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Image courtesy of "The Guardian"

Evan Gershkovich is free – and keen to raise plight of Russian ... (The Guardian)

“There's one thing I would like to say. It was great to get on that bus today and see not just Americans and Germans but Russian political prisoners. “I spent a ...

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Image courtesy of "CNN"

Americans Gershkovich and Whelan back home after historic ... (CNN)

Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, former US Marine Paul Whelan and Russian-American journalist Alsu Kurmasheva are back in the United States, ...

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Image courtesy of "The Guardian"

Evan Gershkovich's most tireless advocate to secure his release: his ... (The Guardian)

She also researched possible prisoner exchanges, in particular the name of Vadim Krasikov, a convicted Russian assassin detained in Berlin for murder. Over ...

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Image courtesy of "The Guardian"

I feel joy at my friend Evan Gershkovich's release. But the anger ... (The Guardian)

I worked closely with Evan several years ago. His release is a huge geopolitical story, and for me, it's also personal.

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Image courtesy of "New York Magazine"

Bloomberg's Risky, Embargo-Breaking Evan Gershkovich Scoop (New York Magazine)

Did Bloomberg's breaking an embargo to break the news of the prisoner swap that released Evan Gershkovich, Paul Whelan, and others from Russian custody risk ...

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Image courtesy of "NBC News"

Evan Gershkovich champions Russian political prisoners in first ... (NBC News)

Evan Gershkovich chose to advocate for dissidents in Russian prisons, in his first comments on U.S. soil after he was freed as part of a prisoner exchange.

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Image courtesy of "Financial Times"

The behind-the-scenes deal to secure Evan Gershkovich's freedom (Financial Times)

Most complex east-west exchange in decades was almost scuppered by death of Russian dissident Alexei Navalny.

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Image courtesy of "Stony Brook News"

A message from the Colvin Center regarding the release of Evan ... (Stony Brook News)

He was wrongfully arrested, convicted of spying without any evidence and held hostage by Vladimir Putin until his release as part of a historic prisoner swap.

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Image courtesy of "Forbes"

What We Owe Evan Gershkovich, Alsu Kurmasheva, And Paul Whelan (Forbes)

A collective imperative to keep in our sights and hearts on some of the ideals we hold most high.

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Image courtesy of "Poynter"

'It is a joyous day': Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich ... (Poynter)

Two powerful words shared on social media, signs and bumper stickers became a reality Thursday. Free Evan! After 16 months, Gershkovich is now free.

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Image courtesy of "The Guardian"

After 16 months behind bars, my friend Evan Gershkovich is free (The Guardian)

We exchanged letters on a weekly basis and throughout his time in a Russian prison the journalist in him never faded.

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