American Taylor Dudley has been released from Russian custody after about nine months. This was announced by ex-diplomat Bill Richardson on Thursday (local time), who said he had negotiated the release. The 35-year-old former marine has been in Russian captivity since April.
According to CNN, he was arrested by Russian border officials as he traveled from Poland to the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad.
Release was not a prisoner exchange
US State Department spokesman Ned Price has not explicitly confirmed the release. However, there are reports of an American who was released from Russian captivity. A spokesperson for the Richardson Center for Global Engagement told CNN the release was not a prisoner swap.
Negotiations not made public
Unlike American professional basketball player Brittney Griner, who was also released from Russian custody in December, the negotiations were not made public at the request of the Dudley family, CNN reports. The athlete was arrested in Russia in February and sentenced to nine years in prison for drug-related offences. In exchange for her release, the US allowed arms dealer Viktor But to travel to Russia.
On the other hand, former US Marine Paul Whelan is still in Russian custody. Republicans in particular accused the US government of not doing enough to secure Whelan’s release. Whelan was arrested in Russia in 2018 and convicted of alleged espionage.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
