The United States and Russia secretly swapped prisoners on Wednesday, with American Trevor Reed and Russian pilot Konstantin Yaroshenko each returning to their own countries..
The spy-for-spy exchange, the highest-profile since the Cold War, was the result of months of delicate negotiations, officials said..
But there was an unexpected third American who was also part of the swap: Izak Frenkel, an Israeli-American citizen who had been detained in Russia for almost a year on charges of possessing marijuana and espionage..
Frenkel’s release was a surprise, and it’s not clear what role he played in the negotiations. But his case highlights the complex and often secretive nature of prisoner swaps, which can involve multiple countries and a variety of charges..
Frenkel, who is in his 60s, was arrested in November 2021 at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport after he arrived from Israel. Russian authorities said they found marijuana in his luggage and accused him of spying for Ukraine..
Frenkel’s family denied the espionage charges and said he was in Russia to visit his daughter and grandchildren. They also said that he had a prescription for medical marijuana and that he had accidentally packed it in his luggage..
Frenkel was held in a pretrial detention center in Moscow for almost a year, during which time he was denied access to his family and lawyer. His health deteriorated, and he lost a significant amount of weight..
In June, Frenkel was sentenced to nine years in prison, but the verdict was overturned on appeal. He was released on bail in July, but was still facing the possibility of a new trial..
It’s not clear what prompted the US to include Frenkel in the prisoner swap. The Biden administration has been under pressure to bring Reed home, and it’s possible that the US agreed to release Yaroshenko in exchange for Frenkel as well..
Frenkel’s release is a welcome development, but it also raises questions about the future of US-Russia relations. The two countries have been at odds over a number of issues, including the war in Ukraine, and it’s unclear whether the prisoner swap will lead to a thaw in tensions..
Here are some additional details about the prisoner swap:.
* Reed, a former US Marine, was arrested in Russia in 2019 and sentenced to nine years in prison on charges of endangering the life of a police officer. He has denied the charges and said he was framed..
* Yaroshenko, a Russian pilot, was arrested in Liberia in 2010 and extradited to the US, where he was sentenced to 20 years in prison on drug trafficking charges..
* The prisoner swap took place in Turkey, and both Reed and Yaroshenko were flown back to their respective countries on US and Russian planes..
* The Biden administration has not commented on Frenkel’s release, and it’s unclear whether he will face any charges in the US..
The prisoner swap is a complex and controversial issue, and it’s likely to be debated for years to come. But for now, it’s a welcome development for the families of the three men who have been returned home..
