An assassin and ‘sleeper cell’ couple – the Russians freed under historic prisoner swap with West

World

A “sleeper cell” couple, prolific cybercriminals and an assassin are among those released in a major prisoner swap with the West.

Here’s what they were accused of:

Vadim Krasikov

An undated picture obtained by Reuters shows Russian hitman Vadim Krasikov who was sentenced to life in 2021 for the assassination of a Chechen-Georgian dissident in a Berlin park, in Berlin, Germany, August 1, 2024. Picture obtained by REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES
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Hitman Vadim Krasikov is now back in Russia. Pic: Reuters

Krasikov is the most high-profile inmate returned to Russia after being convicted in 2021 of shooting dead a Georgian dissident in a Berlin park two years before.

He used a gun with a silencer for the murder and was seen throwing the weapon, as well as a bike and a wig, into a river.

The victim was Zelimkhan “Tornike” Khangoshvili, who fought against Russia in the Chechnya war before seeking asylum in Germany.

Russian President Vladimir Putin greeted killer Vadim Krasikov. Pic: AP
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Russian President Vladimir Putin welcomes back killer Krasikov. Pic: AP

Krasikov, a colonel in Russia’s security agency, was arrested before he could escape.

German authorities said he acted for Russian authorities, also receiving funding and a fake identity.

The 58-year-old was among those greeted by Russian President Vladimir Putin on the runway as he landed back in his home country.

Vladislav Klyushin

Vladislav Klyushin.
Pic: Reuters
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Vladislav Klyushin is said to have made $33m in a hacking scheme. Pic: Reuters

Klyushin was sentenced to nine years in 2023 after making an estimated $33m for himself in a $100m hacking scheme that relied on stealing secret earnings information.

The scheme used the insider data to make trades – and big profits – on Wall Street before the information went public.

Read more:
Americans freed under exchange deal land back in US

Russian nationals released under the prisoner exchange arrive in Moscow. Pic: Sputnik/Kirill Zykov/Pool via Reuters
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Some of the Russians released under the prisoner exchange arrive in Moscow. Pic: Sputnik/Kirill Zykov/Pool via Reuters

The 43-year businessman was arrested when his private jet landed in the Swiss alps in 2021 and later extradited to the US on fraud charges.

He has ties to the Kremlin through his Moscow cybersecurity company M13, which provided services to the Russian government.

Roman Seleznev

Roman Seleznev.
Pic: AP/DOJ
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Roman Seleznev was serving the longest-ever cybercrime jail sentence in the US. Pic: AP/DOJ

A prolific cybercriminal, Seleznev stole millions of credit card numbers from hundreds of firms and sold the details online.

He’s getting out of prison several decades early from the 27-year term handed down in 2017 – the longest-ever cybercrime sentence in the US.

The sentence included $170m in restitution for his victims.

Seleznev – who was extradited from the Maldives in 2014 – also has links to the Russian ruling class through his politician father.

Artem Dultsev and Anna Dultseva

Vladimir Putin walks behind Russian nationals Artyom Dultsev, Anna Dultseva and their children following a prisoner exchange between Russia with Western countries.
Pic:Sputnik/Reuters
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Vladimir Putin walks behind Russian nationals Artyom Dultsev, Anna Dultseva and their children following the prisoner exchange. Pic:Sputnik/Reuters

The Russian “sleeper cell” couple were arrested on spying charges in the Slovenian capital Ljubljana in 2022 after posing as Argentine citizens.

They had allegedly used the city as a base since 2017, travelling to nearby countries to pass on Moscow’s orders to other spies.

The couple – who have two children – pleaded guilty on Wednesday and were given a 19-month sentence, but freed based on time already served.

Vadim Konoshchenok

Vadim Konoshchenok.
Pic: DOJ
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Vadim Konoshchenok was extradited from Estonia to the US last year. Pic: DOJ

The suspected officer in Russia’s Federal Security Service was extradited from Estonia to the US last year.

He was accused of smuggling ammunition and dual-use technology (which can be used for civilian and military purposes) to help Russia’s war against Ukraine.

Prosecutors said he was detained in 2022 while trying to travel from Estonia to Russia with several dozen types of semiconductors and electrical components.

Pavel Rubtsov

Picture of Pavel Rubtsov, known as Pablo Gonzalez, shown by his wife Oihana Goiriena in Nabarniz, Spain
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An image of Pavel Rubtsov, known as Pablo Gonzalez, shown by his wife Oihana Goiriena in Nabarniz, Spain. Pic: Reuters

Rubtsov was one of several people being held in Poland on espionage charges, accused of spying for Russia since the start of the Ukraine invasion.

Going under the name Pablo Gonzalez, Polish authorities say he used Spanish-Russian dual nationality and work as a journalist as cover.

Mikhail Mikushin

Mikushin masqueraded as a Brazilian national, according to Norway’s security agency PST, working as a lecturer at the Arctic University of Norway in Tromso until arrested on suspicion of spying for Russia in October 2022.

Prosecutors later said his true identity was Mikhail Mikushin from Russia.

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