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Washington, D.C. — Today, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul issued the following statement on the reported prisoner swap between Russia and the United States and its allies. Among those returning to the United States are Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty journalist Alsu Kurmasheva, former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan, and U.S. permanent resident Vladimir Kara-Murza.

“If these reports are true, I am thrilled Evan, Paul, Alsu, Vladimir, and many others who have been illegally held by Putin’s regime are finally coming home to their families. But I remain concerned that continuing to trade innocent Americans for actual Russian criminals held in the U.S. and elsewhere sends a dangerous message to Putin that only encourages further hostage taking by his regime. We should also not forget those Americans who may still be held in Russia, like Marc Fogel and Ksenia Karelina, as well as those held in other countries, including Mark Swidan, Kai Li, and David Lin who are held in China, and Ryan Corbett who is held in Afghanistan. We must get all of them home to their families too.”

Background: The reported prisoner swap comes following Chairman McCaul’s robust advocacy in support of wrongfully detained individuals.

  • Read Chairman McCaul’s statement on the conviction of wrongfully detained reporter  Evan Gershkovich here. 
  • Read Chairman McCaul’s statement on the one-year mark since the wrongful detainment of Gershkovich here.
  • Read Chairman McCaul’s remarks in support of H.Con.Res. 27 on the wrongful detainment of U.S. permanent resident Vladimir Kara-Murza here.
  • Read Chairman McCaul’s remarks calling for the immediate release of Kara-Murza here. 
  • Read Chairman McCaul’s statement on the one-year mark of Kara-Murza’s wrongful detainment here. 
  • Read Chairman McCaul’s statement on the convcition and wrongful detainment of former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan here.
  • Watch the committee roundtable, held on April 30, 2024 on wrongfully detained Americans abroad here. 

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