Why were Evan Gershkovich, Paul Whelan being held prisoner in Russia?

Both were convicted of spying connected charges the U.S. says were fabricated.

Here's a look astatine the Americans returning to the United States arsenic portion of the captive speech with Russia happening Thursday.

Evan Gershkovich

The 32-year-old Wall Street Journal newsman was sentenced past period to 16 years successful a Russian penal colony connected charges of espionage aft a blameworthy verdict was announced successful his closed-door trial.

His paper and the U.S. had denounced the ineligible proceedings, which saw lone 2 days of hearings, arsenic a sham and person denied the allegations.

The American was arrested successful March 2023 portion connected a reporting travel successful Yekaterinburg, with the U.S. classifying him arsenic unjustly detained.

Evan Gershkovich (left) and Paul Whelan (right)

AP Photos

Paul Whelan

The 54-year-old erstwhile U.S. Marine was sentenced to 16 years successful a Russian situation pursuing a closed-door proceedings successful June 2020.

He was convicted of spying charges, which helium and the U.S. person claimed were fabricated successful bid to prehend him arsenic a governmental hostage.

The U.S. classified him arsenic wrongfully detained pursuing his apprehension successful 2018 portion visiting Moscow for a friend's wedding.

In his archetypal interrogation pursuing his conviction, Whelan, who worked for the car parts supplier BorgWarner astatine the clip of his arrest, told ABC News helium believed helium was targeted partially owed to sanctions retaliation.

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