Russia to remain quiet on prisoner swap talks as Evan Gershkovich marks a year in custody
Russia said silence is paramount when discussing talks about prison swaps potentially including The Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, whose detention will reach the one-year mark this week.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters Thursday that “certain contacts” are made when potential prisoner exchanges are mentioned, but they would have to be carried out privately.
"As for exchange matters, we have repeatedly stressed that there are certain contacts, but they must be carried out in absolute silence," Peskov said according to Reuters.
Gershkovich has been detained close to a year following his March 2023 arrest in the Russian city of Yekaterinburg. His detention was extended on Tuesday to June 30.
When Peskov was asked Thursday if there would be a prisoner exchange for Gershkovich and when the court would hear his case, he said, "We do not have information about the court — it is not our prerogative."
Gershkovich, an American citizen, was charged with gathering state secrets of Russia’s military for the U.S. government. His employer, the U.S. and press freedom groups consider Gershkovich wrongfully detained.
The Biden administration has been working on a prisoner swap deal, but a definitive agreement has yet to be reached.
Ella Milman and Mikhail Gershkovich, his parents, attended President Biden’s State of the Union address earlier in March.
Russia has also held former Marine Paul Whelan since 2018 and still holds Russian American journalist Alsu Kurmasheva, who works at Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
Date: | |
Tag: | Russia |
Filter
-
European lawmakers approved a resolution calling for the immediate and unconditional release of political prisoners held in Russia, including Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich.
European lawmakers approved a resolution calling for the immediate and unconditional release of political prisoners held in Russia, including Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich.The Wall Street Journal - World -
EU Lawmakers Call for Release of WSJ Reporter Evan Gershkovich and Others Held in Russia
European Parliament members condemn election process that elected Vladimir Putin as Russia’s leader.The Wall Street Journal - World - European Union -
Evan Gershkovich’s appeal against his detention rejected by Moscow court
Wall Street Journal reporter, held since March 2023 on espionage allegations, to remain in Russian jail for at least two more months. The American journalist Evan Gershkovich, who was arrested over a year ago in Russia, will remain in jail for at ...The Guardian - World -
The new Duranty effect: Russia's propaganda machine remains effective a century later
The importance of countering Russia's information warfare has never been higher.The Hill - Politics -
Florida man gets 4 years in prison for laundering romance scam proceeds
Niselio Barros Garcia Jr., 50, scammed victims out of $2.3 million in funds, according to authorities.CBS News - Top stories - Florida -
Binance Founder Should Get 3 Years in Prison, Prosecutors Say
Lawyers for Changpeng Zhao, the founder of the crypto exchange Binance, countered that he should receive no prison time.The New York Times - Tech -
Binance Founder Should Get 3 Years in Prison, Prosecutors Say
Lawyers for Changpeng Zhao, the founder of the crypto exchange Binance, countered that he should receive no prison time.The New York Times - Business -
South Africa will mark 30 years of freedom amid inequality, poverty
South Africa this week celebrates 30 years of freedom after a historic 1994 election that saw the end of white minority rule and racial segregationABC News - World -
10 years later, Flint's and America's water remains unnecessarily hazardous
We the people are demanding stronger regulations and enforcement measures to protect the most vulnerable members of our society.The Hill - Politics -
U.S. 10-Year Treasury Yield Remains Near Multi-Month Highs
Treasury yields remained at multi-month highs they reached on Thursday, following weaker-than-expected first-quarter GDP and a stronger-than-expected acceleration in core PCE inflation.The Wall Street Journal - World
More from The Hill
-
Trump slams RFK Jr. in latest social media rant: 'Wasted protest vote'
Former President Trump came out swinging against independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Friday, despite weeks of amping him up over his likely November rival, President Biden. In a series of post on Truth Social, Trump suggested ...The Hill - Politics - Donald Trump -
RFK Jr. threatens to challenge TikTok ban: It's just a 'smoke screen'
Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. threatened to challenge a potential TikTok ban Friday, as efforts to block the video app in the U.S. came closer to reality earlier this week. “I’m going to file a lawsuit challenging the ...The Hill - Politics - Tiktok -
White House rips 'dangerous, appalling statements' from Columbia protest leader
The White House heavily criticized comments that resurfaced this week from a student leader of the pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University. “These dangerous, appalling statements turn the stomach and should serve as a wakeup call. It is ...The Hill - Politics -
Freight train derails, catches fire near New Mexico-Arizona border causing road closures
A freight train detailed and caught fire, resulting in the closure of a nearby interstate, the Arizona Department of Transportation announced on Friday. "I-40 EB is closed at milepost 357 due to a train derailment in New Mexico," the Arizona DOT ...The Hill - Politics -
Paramedic sentenced to 4 years of probation for Elijah McClain's death
A Colorado paramedic has been sentenced to four years of probation for his role in the 2019 death of Elijah McClain. Jeremy Cooper, a former Aurora Fire Rescue paramedic, was convicted on Dec. 22 of criminally negligent homicide. He was the last ...The Hill - Politics