Germany has released Vadim Krasikov, a Russian operative at the center of a major prisoner exchange, marking a significant diplomatic move. Krasikov, 58, was convicted of murder and had been serving a life sentence in Germany. His release has been long sought by the Kremlin, with President Vladimir Putin indicating interest in such an exchange earlier this year, calling Krasikov a "patriot" held abroad.
What Did Krasikov Do? Krasikov was convicted of the assassination of Zelimkhan "Tornike" Khangoshvili, a 40-year-old Georgian who had fought against Russian forces in Chechnya before seeking asylum in Germany. On August 23, 2019, Khangoshvili was shot from behind near Kleiner Tiergarten, a park in central Berlin. The gunman used a silenced handgun and was seen discarding his bike, gun, and a wig into the nearby Spree River before attempting to flee on an electric scooter. However, police apprehended him before he could escape.
In 2021, German courts sentenced Krasikov to life imprisonment, stating that he had acted under orders from Russian authorities. These authorities had provided him with a false identity, a passport, and resources to carry out the assassination. Krasikov was reportedly part of a special forces unit within the Federal Security Service (FSB), the primary successor to the KGB.
For Putin, who has a background in the KGB, securing the release of Russian operatives like Krasikov is crucial for maintaining the effectiveness of future covert operations. It demonstrates Moscow’s willingness to negotiate for its agents, even if they are captured.
Impact on Russian-German Relations Krasikov’s case led to a serious diplomatic dispute between Russia and Germany, resulting in the expulsion of diplomats from both countries. Throughout his trial, Krasikov and his lawyers maintained his innocence, arguing that he had been misidentified and providing a different birth year and place of origin.
During his sentencing, Judge Olaf Arnoldi noted that while Krasikov had no prior convictions, Russian authorities had previously sought him in connection with the 2013 killing of a businessman in Moscow, though that case was later dropped.
Kremlin's Stance on the Krasikov Case When Krasikov was first arrested, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov dismissed the accusations of Russian state involvement as "absolutely groundless."
In a February 2024 interview with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson, Putin hinted at the possibility of exchanging Krasikov for Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who had been detained in Russia on espionage charges that both he and the U.S. government denied. Although Putin did not name Krasikov directly, he alluded to a Russian "patriot" imprisoned in a U.S.-allied country for "liquidating a bandit" who had killed Russian soldiers during the conflict in the Caucasus.
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