After more than two years in pretrial detention, journalist Pablo González was released this Thursday, August 1, as part of a prisoner exchange between the U.S. and several European countries, as well as Russia. The agreement also included the release of American journalist Evan Gershkovich and former Marine Paul Whelan.
González was imprisoned in Poland on February 28, 2022, at the onset of the invasion of Ukraine, without judicial charges and in isolation, on suspicion of spying for the Kremlin. Yesterday, he was transferred from Ankara (Turkey) along with other prisoners back to his homeland, Russia. Both U.S. President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin have celebrated the exchange of 26 prisoners, the most significant since the Cold War.
“[The release] marks a significant milestone for the freedom of all journalists currently imprisoned in various countries,” stated Pablo González’s defense in a note. “Humanitarian reasons have been paramount in this decision, recognizing the value and importance of journalism in society,” the text adds.
Meanwhile, the FAPE (Federation of Press Associations of Spain) expressed its “great satisfaction” over González’s release. It also criticized the “injustice and affront to press freedom that the Polish State has prolonged for 29 months.”
González’s family has been denouncing throughout this time the loneliness they faced and the lack of support from Spain. “I also know of some media outlets that have received calls from the Government and the CNI telling them, ‘be quiet, keep a low profile, because there is something going on here,’” explained his colleague, Ohiana Goiriena, in an interview with La Marea.
“On behalf of Pablo and his family, we want to express our gratitude to all the people and organizations, especially Free Pablo, that have worked tirelessly to achieve this outcome, and through the work done in this case, we reiterate our commitment to the defense of human rights and the freedom of information and expression wherever it is threatened,” concludes the statement, which clarifies that the journalist will address the media when he is able to do so.
The release of prisoners has been particularly controversial in Germany, as among them is Russian Vadim Krasikov, convicted in this country for the daytime murder of a Chechen refugee of Georgian origin in a park in Berlin.
Update: August 3