2024-08-02 05:32:28
The process to exchange 26 prisoners in the Turkish capital Ankara as part of a deal the United States and four allied nations reached with Russia included medical examinations and other procedures. This was reported by Reuters, citing a source from Turkey’s National Intelligence Organization (MIT).
The source declined to say where the prisoners will go after their stay at Esenboga International Airport in Ankara.
Earlier today, Turkish intelligence said it was coordinating a major prisoner swap, amid signs of a large-scale handover of detainees between Russia and Belarus on the one hand and Western countries such as the US and Germany on the other.
During the action, 26 prisoners were exchanged from prisons of seven countries (USA, Germany, Poland, Slovenia, Norway, Russia and Belarus).
As part of the operation, the prisoners were transported to Turkey on seven planes, including two from the US and one each from Germany, Poland, Slovenia, Norway and Russia.
Ten prisoners, including two minors, were sent to Russia, thirteen prisoners – to Germany, three prisoners – to the United States, writes BTA.
A Russian government plane has taken off from Turkey following the biggest prisoner swap since the Cold War.
The plane took off from the airport of the capital Ankara. Four other planes believed to have also brought swap participants are still at the airport.