Russia-US prisoner swap: Kremlin confirms hitman Vadim Krasikov labored for FSB safety service – dwell

Amnesty Worldwide has welcomed the discharge of individuals held in Russia however careworn that “this isn’t the end.”

“Russia must free all persons jailed for peaceful dissent. The right way forward is the dismantling of Russia’s system of political repression, not bartering human beings,” it mentioned.

The Kremlin mentioned at present that Vadim Krasikov, a hitman returned by Germany as a part of yesterday’s main prisoner swap, was an worker of Russia’s FSB safety service and had served in Alpha Group, the FSB’s particular forces unit, Reuters reported.

Joe Biden and Kamala Harris met Wall Avenue Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and two different freed American prisoners simply hours after Washington and Moscow accomplished their largest prisoner trade because the chilly conflict.

After a couple of minutes spent chatting with household, Evan approached the group of reporters and started to embrace his associates and colleagues.

Requested how he was feeling he mentioned “I feel fine.” However he additionally spoke about his emotions boarding the bus with the opposite freed detainees on Thursday and mentioned he was pleased to see Russians on board as effectively.

“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 month in prison in Yekaterinburg where everyone I sat with was a political prisoner. Nobody knows them publicly, they have various political beliefs, they are not all connected with Navalny supporters, who everyone knows about. I would potentially like to see if we could do something about them as well. I’d like to talk to people about that in the next weeks and months.”

Learn the total story right here, from Andrews air drive base.

The Kremlin mentioned at present that yesterday’s prisoner swap was negotiated between Russia’s FSB and the US Central Intelligence Company, Reuters reported.

It additionally mentioned that Vladimir Putin’s resolution to satisfy the launched prisoners as they arrived by airplane in Russia was an indication of respect for individuals who had served their nation.

“It was a tribute to people who serve their country and who after very difficult trials, and thanks to the hard work of many people, have been able to return to the Motherland,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov mentioned.

The Kremlin rejected the notion that Russia intentionally arrested folks to create an “exchange fund,” calling it absurd.