Russia's Criminal State: Released U.S. Hostage Sir William Browder Speaks Out

In a historic prisoner swap, Russia received eight criminals, including a hitman, cyber fraudsters, and an alleged Russian spy, sparking outrage from critics who denounce Russia's behavior as that of a "criminal state." The exchange freed three American citizens and one American green-card holder unjustly detained in Russia, drawing mixed reactions.

In a complex prisoner swap involving seven nations, including the U.S. and Germany, Russia received eight criminals as part of a deal that saw the release of 24 detainees. The exchange has raised concerns about Russia's behavior and its implications for international diplomacy.

Russia's Criminal State: Released U.S. Hostage Sir William Browder Speaks Out

Among those released by Russia was Sir William Browder, a friend of freed U.S. hostage Paul Whelan. Browder, who has been a vocal critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin, echoed the sentiment that Russia has descended into a "criminal state."

"The Russian government is a criminal organization. They're not a normal state," Browder told Fox News. "They're a criminal syndicate that has taken over a country and is operating it as a criminal enterprise."

Russia's Criminal State: Released U.S. Hostage Sir William Browder Speaks Out

The eight criminals released by Russia include:

* **Vadim Krasikov:** A hitman convicted of assassinating a Chechen-Georgian dissident in Berlin.

Russia's Criminal State: Released U.S. Hostage Sir William Browder Speaks Out

* **Roman Seleznev:** Convicted of hacking into U.S. businesses and stealing credit card numbers, as well as participating in a $50 million cyber fraud ring.

* **Vadim Konoshchenok:** Accused of providing U.S.-made electronics and ammunition to the Russian military.

Russia's Criminal State: Released U.S. Hostage Sir William Browder Speaks Out

* **Vladislav Klyushin:** Convicted of participating in a hack-to-trade scheme that netted approximately $93 million.

* **Pavel Rubtsov:** Identified as a Russian spy by Poland's Internal Security Agency while working as a journalist under a fake name.

Russia's Criminal State: Released U.S. Hostage Sir William Browder Speaks Out

* **Artem Dultsev and Anna Dultseva:** A Russian couple arrested on espionage charges in Slovenia.

* **Mikhail Mikushin:** Arrested in Norway on espionage charges while allegedly working for Russia's intelligence service under a fake identity.

Russia's Criminal State: Released U.S. Hostage Sir William Browder Speaks Out

The prisoner swap has been met with mixed reactions. While some celebrate the release of Americans and others from Russian detention, others express concerns about the message it sends to Russia and the implications for future hostage situations.

House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul, R-Texas, warned that the exchange could send a "dangerous message" to Putin, encouraging further hostage-taking.

Russia's Criminal State: Released U.S. Hostage Sir William Browder Speaks Out

"I remain concerned that continuing to trade innocent Americans for actual Russian criminals held in the U.S. and elsewhere sends a dangerous message to Putin that only encourages further hostage taking by his regime," McCaul said.

Despite the concerns, President Biden hailed the prisoner swap as a "feat of diplomacy," expressing gratitude to the countries involved in the complex negotiations.

"Today, their agony is over," the White House said in a press release.

Biden is expected to greet the returned prisoners at Joint Base Andrews Thursday evening.