13-year old the daughter of Alsu Kurmashev may celebrate her birthday tomorrow. But President Joe Biden made sure today was a special one.
Biden led staffers, press pool members and family members of released Russian prisoners in singing 'Happy Birthday' to end his press conference on Wednesday, Aug. 1.
Russia agreed to a multi-country prisoner swap that freed Wall Street Journal reporter Alsu Kurmasheve, Evan Gershkovich and Marine veteran Paul Whelan. Both men have been serving 16-year prison terms in Russia.
Kurmasheva, a Russian-American journalist for U.S.-funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, who was arrested in Russia in 2020, and another journalist, Vladimir Kara-Murza, a Russian-British dissident, were also released from Russian prisons in the exchange.
Standing with the families of the released Americans at the White House on Thursday, Biden called their convictions “show trials” and said they were held for “absolutely no legitimate reason.” Paul, Evan, Alsu were “falsely accused of being spies.” Vladimir, who Biden said was pallbearer at John McCain’s funeral alongside him, was convicted of treason, Biden said, for speaking out against Putin’s regime.
“And now, their brutal ordeal is over. And they’re free.”
