Scholz described his meeting with the prisoners released from Russia as very touching.
Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz says that all those released to Germany in the prisoner exchange have arrived safely. Many of them had not expected to be released, Scholz said.
The Chancellor said that he had a long discussion with people released from Russian prisons in a large prisoner exchange.
Scholz described the meeting as very touching.
“Many of them were afraid for their health and even their lives,” Scholz told reporters, according to the Reuters news agency.
A total of 12 prisoners were released to Germany, among whom were German citizens and representatives of the Russian opposition. Among others, an opposition politician arrived in Germany Ilya Yashin and human rights activist Oleg Orlov.
On Thursday, Russia and Western countries carried out a large prisoner exchange coordinated by Turkey. It is an exceptionally large prisoner exchange operation, characterized as the largest since the Cold War.
A total of 24 prisoners were released in the prisoner exchange.
In addition to the United States and Russia, Belarus, Germany, Poland, Slovenia and Norway are participating in the prisoner exchange.
Reuters