BREAKINGBREAKING,
The deal happening in Turkey consists of 24 adults and two youngsters, safety sources say.
An intensive prisoner swap believed to be carried out between Russia and the US and its Western allies is happening in Turkey’s capital, Ankara, based on safety sources.
The deal includes seven totally different international locations and consists of 24 adults and two youngsters, the sources advised Al Jazeera on Thursday.
Turkey’s Anadolu Company reported that US journalist Evan Gershkovich and ex-US Marine Paul Whelan are a part of the deal, which is likely one of the largest prisoner swaps between Russia and the West because the Chilly Conflict.
“A [prisoner] trade operation will happen right this moment below the coordination of our organisation,” the Turkish Nationwide Intelligence Organisation (MIT) stated in an announcement.
“Our organisation has undertaken a significant mediation position on this trade operation, which is probably the most complete of the latest interval.”
Gershkovich, a Wall Avenue Journal reporter, was arrested in 2023 and charged with spying. Whelan was detained in 2022 and subsequently sentenced to 16 years on espionage fees, as nicely. The US has deemed each prisoners “wrongfully detained”.
The Reuters information company reported on Thursday {that a} Russian navy airplane, believed to be linked to the prisoner swap, had landed in Ankara.
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