Foreign Secretary David Lammy expressed his approval of the recent prisoner swap between Russia and the West, which resulted in the release of British nationals Vladimir Kara-Murza and Paul Whelan. Mr. Whelan, a corporate security executive with dual British and American citizenship, had been imprisoned since 2018 on espionage charges that both he and the US denied. Kara-Murza, a Kremlin critic and award-winning writer with joint Russian and British citizenship, was serving a 25-year sentence on politically motivated treason charges.
Lammy welcomed the news of the prisoner release, stating, “I strongly welcome the news that Russia has released a number of prisoners today, and am particularly relieved that British nationals Vladimir Kara-Murza and Paul Whelan will soon be reunited with their families.” He emphasized the unjust imprisonment of Kara-Murza, highlighting his opposition to Putin’s regime and the dangers he faced for speaking out against the war in Ukraine.
In addition to Kara-Murza and Whelan, other individuals released in the swap include Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty journalist Alsu Kurmasheva, associates of the late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, and a German national held in Belarus. The prisoner exchange marked the largest between the US and Russia since the end of the Soviet era.
The negotiations for the swap took place behind closed doors over several years, reflecting the strained relations between Washington and Moscow following Putin’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Russia also secured the release of its nationals convicted of serious crimes in Western countries as part of the exchange.
Lammy expressed his anticipation of speaking with Kara-Murza and Whelan upon their return to their respective families. He acknowledged the challenges faced by both men and their loved ones throughout their time in detention, emphasizing the importance of their freedom and reunion with their families.
The prisoner exchange underscores the complex diplomatic efforts required to secure the release of individuals detained on politically motivated or disputed charges. The involvement of high-profile figures like Kara-Murza and Whelan highlights the international attention and pressure placed on governments to address human rights violations and ensure justice for those wrongfully imprisoned.
