US journalist Evan Gershkovich and a Russian intelligence colonel jailed for a Berlin murder were among two dozen prisoners freed in the biggest East-West prisoner swap since the Cold War.
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00:00Today, we're bringing home Paul, Evan, Alsu, Vladimir.
00:28Three American citizens and one American green card holder.
00:31Russian authorities arrested them, convicted them in show trials, and sentenced them to
00:37long prison terms with absolutely no legitimate reason whatsoever.
00:41None.
00:42First of all, I would like to congratulate you all on your return to your homeland.
01:02Now, I would like to address those of you who have a direct relationship with the military
01:08services.
01:09I would like to thank you for your loyalty to your oath, your duty and your commitment,
01:18which I will not forget, not for a minute.
01:24Thank you very much.
01:54Thank you very much.
02:25Well, you can just take a look at the charging documents that were levied against Evan Gershkovich
02:30and look at exactly what the crime is that they're describing.
02:33They accuse him of asking people to solicit information about the Russian state and about
02:39the war effort in Ukraine.
02:41That is journalism.
02:42He was going around asking questions.
02:44That is not espionage.
02:46But it is extremely telling that in the Kremlin's view, journalism and espionage are effectively
02:51the same thing.
02:54Thank you very much.