Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev issued threats to freed Russian political prisoners during the exchange between Russia and the West, DPA reported, quoted by BTA.
Oppositionists are “traitors” who “represent an existential threat to today's Russia,” Medvedev wrote in the social application “Telegram”.
„They should not forget the transience of their existence in this world”, he pointed out.
Among the Russian politicians and activists released as part of the deal are Vladimir Kara-Murza, Ilya Yashin and Oleg Orlov.
In return, Moscow took back a number of convicted criminals, including secret service agent and murderer Vadim Krasikov, who was in prison in Germany.
In 2019, Krasikov shot dead a Chechen dissident born in Georgia in broad daylight in a Berlin park, probably on state orders, DPA recalls.
Russian President Vladimir Putin welcomed Krasikov and several Russian spies released from Western custody upon their arrival in Moscow.
According to Medvedev, Russia got a better deal in the exchange because those who returned to Moscow worked for the Russian state and were “patriots”.
Meanwhile, Russia has handed over not only those whom Medvedev calls spies and criminal foreigners, but also prisoners who, according to Medvedev, hated their Russian homeland and wanted to destroy it.
A total of 26 people were released during the exchange of prisoners. Moscow released 16 people, including American journalist Evan Gershkovich and ex-Marine Paul Whelan, in exchange for 10 Russian citizens.