US president followed Türkiye-led prisoner swap operation live

By Ferdi Turkten

US President Joe Biden followed live the historic prisoner exchange operation conducted by Türkiye’s National Intelligence Organization (MIT) on Aug. 1.

MIT led a successful prisoner exchange involving seven countries in one of the most extensive swap operations in recent years.

The swap involved 26 prisoners from the US, Germany, Poland, Slovenia, Norway, Russia and Belarus. During the operation, 10 prisoners, including two children, were sent to Russia, 13 to Germany and three to the US.

According to security sources, two meetings were held in Istanbul and Ankara in two months with the participation of all relevant countries regarding the operation.

- US, Russia wanted swap to be held in Türkiye

Both the US and Russia wanted the swap operation to be held in Türkiye. The trust that both countries have in Türkiye was an important factor in this choice. MIT's disciplined working style, its ability to manage such operations without any problems and its success in secrecy also stood out as important elements in their choice of Türkiye.

Ankara guaranteed the US and Russia that "we will not make a statement until you make a statement."

MIT chose Esenboga Airport in Ankara, where control is easier, for the swap location.

On Aug. 1, a total of 26 people were transferred to Türkiye with seven planes, including two from the US, one from Germany, Poland, Slovenia, Norway and Russia. Health checks and identification of the hostages were also carried out by MIT personnel.

- Request for swap time from the US

MIT Director Ibrahim Kalin spoke on the phone with US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan 15 days before the swap operation.

In a phone call, Sullivan said that Biden wanted to follow the swap operation live and requested that the swap start at 5:00 p.m. Turkish time (1400GMT).

Upon the request, MIT started the swap operation at this time and Biden followed the swap operation live.

The US hostages had their first meeting with Biden from Esenboga. Afterward, 10 hostages, including two children, were transferred to Russia, 13 hostages to Germany, and three hostages to the US. Biden held a press conference after the operation and called President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to thank him.

The operation, led by MIT, was recorded as the largest exchange in the last 80 years since World II.

American journalist Evan Gerskovich and Russian dissident Vladimir Kara-Murza are among those who have been released from Russian prisons.

*Writing by Gozde Bayar