President Vladimir Putin wants the release of a Russian special-forces hitman convicted of murder in Germany in exchange for U.S. prisoners such as Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, the newspaper reported, citing Western officials. Moscow has brought up Vadim Krasikov's case in prisoner-swap negotiations and said he is central to any deal, the Western sources told WSJ. Krasnikov shot to death Zelimkhan Khangoshvili, a Chechen rebel and Georgian national who Moscow says took part in a terrorist attack in Russia's North Caucasus region in 2004. Putin has returned other security-service hitmen convicted overseas. To read the original story by The Wall Street Journal, click here.
Putin Wants Release Of Hitman In Exchange For U.S. Prisoners Held In Russia, WSJ Says
Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich (file photo)