Germany’s “highly sensitive dilemma” over prisoner deal
Published: Friday, Aug 2nd 2024, 14:30
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Following the extensive exchange of prisoners between Western countries and Russia, the German government is appealing for understanding for its difficult decision. It is not foreseeable that the agreement with Moscow could help to reduce tensions or even end the war in Ukraine.
Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock described the prisoner exchange between Russia, Belarus and several Western states as a "highly sensitive dilemma". She hinted at tough wrangling within the government. "Nobody in the German government took the decision lightly," said the Green politician in a radio interview with BR24.
Interior Minister Nancy Faeser emphasized: "This has been a very, very difficult decision. It involves weighing up various interests. From our point of view, the good of freedom and the lives of the prisoners - in Russia, in Belarus - were more important, that these 15 people get a free life." On the other hand, the release of a convicted murderer. We are referring to the "zoo murderer" Vadim Krassikov.
Why Germany struggled in the Krassikov case
He was released on Thursday as part of the prisoner exchange. He was brought from Karlsruhe to Ankara by plane under strict security precautions. The Berlin Court of Appeal had sentenced the man to life imprisonment for murder in 2021. According to the verdict, on August 23, 2019, the Russian man treacherously shot a Georgian of Chechen descent in Berlin on behalf of Russian state authorities who had sought protection in Germany. In return, Russia released prominent opposition figures such as Vladimir Kara-Mursa.
"The released opposition members can continue their important fight against Putin's cruel regime," said FDP Secretary General Bijan Djir-Sarai. This exchange of criminals for journalists shows once again "that Putin's Russia is on the wrong side of history".
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) sees the extensive prisoner exchange with Russia as a successful negotiation and pleads for realism. "You can't do one thing without accepting the other. That was also the case here," he said on the fringes of a visit to South Korea. "I think that the Chancellery has negotiated excellently here, that good results have been achieved together with others, but of course you can argue about the effect, because it's absolutely clear: one man's sorrow is another man's joy in this case."
He is particularly pleased "that people who were innocently imprisoned in Russian prisons have been freed". The pictures from Moscow and the reception for those released could not come as a surprise to anyone who correctly assesses (Russian President Vladimir) Putin".
Krassikow - "rewarded for his silence"?
The CDU security expert Roderich Kiesewetter suspects that Putin's great interest in Krassikov could have another reason besides the general promise of protection for secret service employees. "Krassikov was the key figure, a long-time colleague, friend, partner of Putin, they have known each other for over 30 years, and Putin was very keen to get this man released, because of course Krassikov knows much more than he revealed in his interrogations," said Kiesewetter on SWR radio. Krassikov has now been "rewarded for his silence", believes the CDU/CSU politician, who is also vice-chairman of the Bundestag committee responsible for monitoring the intelligence services. The Kremlin confirmed directly for the first time that Krassikov is an agent of the Russian domestic intelligence service FSB.
Which Germans went free
A total of ten people were flown to Russia on Thursday. Three former prisoners in Russia arrived in the USA: "Wall Street Journal" correspondent Evan Gershkovich, former soldier Paul Whelan and journalist Alsu Kurmasheva were greeted by US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on their arrival shortly before midnight and embraced their families with cheers and tears of joy.
13 former prisoners were brought to Germany. Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) received the released prisoners at Cologne/Bonn Airport. The prisoner exchange had been prepared for months by negotiators from Germany and the USA.
It was carried out with the support of the Turkish secret service MIT at Ankara airport. There, before the released persons were allowed to board the plane waiting for them, their identity was first checked.
The German citizens who were released were Rico K., who had been sentenced to death in Belarus, and four men who had been detained in Russia - Patrick S., 19-year-old German-Russian Kevin L. and political scientist Demuri W., as well as activist German M., who was charged with treason.
German trade-offs for months
The case of the "Tiergarten murderer" involved a man who had been sentenced to life imprisonment for murder. The Berlin Court of Appeal will hand down its verdict in 2021 - although due to the particularly serious nature of the guilt in such a case, release from prison is normally almost impossible even after 15 years.
Kiesewetter also admits that the German government was faced with a dilemma when making its decision. Chancellor Scholz had already discussed the planned exchange with Friedrich Merz (CDU), head of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group, a few weeks ago.
US President Biden said that the prisoner exchange had been a "tough break" for the USA's allies. Germany and Slovenia in particular had had to make decisions that were "against their immediate interests". When asked what his message to Russian President Vladimir Putin was, he simply replied: "Stop."
Russia's war in Ukraine independent of prisoner deal
According to government circles in Berlin and Washington, the prisoner exchange has no direct influence on the situation in Ukraine, which has been invaded by Russia. He sees no connection between the negotiations on the detainees and possible diplomatic efforts to end the war in the country attacked by Russia, said the US National Security Advisor, Jake Sullivan. "From our perspective, these are on separate tracks," said Sullivan in Washington. One issue is about the practicalities of the exchange, Sullivan explained. "The other is a much more complex issue where the Ukrainians will take the lead."
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