Russian President Vladimir Putin has approved an order to pardon citizens exchanged from Russia.
Among the individuals listed are Paul Whelan and Evan Gershkovich, previously convicted in Russia.
The official Kremlin website reports: “Vladimir Putin pardoned Whelan Paul Nicholas, Lik Kevin Viktorovich, Gershkovich Evan, Voronin Demuri Ilyich.”
In addition, by order of the president, Vladimir Viktorovich Kara-Murzy, Alsu Khamidovna Kurmasheva, Liliya Airatovna Chanysheva and other persons were exchanged.
Decree of the President
As has been noted many times before, the above-mentioned order of Vladimir Vladimirovich pursued the goal of returning Russian citizens detained abroad.
Russians waiting for the opportunity to return home were imprisoned in foreign countries.
It is reported that the returned Russian citizens were sentenced abroad to significant terms, including life imprisonment.
It is indicated that these individuals, according to foreign investigators, allegedly collaborated with Russian intelligence agencies.
