hello, i'm christian fraser. you're watching the context on bbc news. moments ago, the families and i were able to speak to them on the telephone from the oval office. they are out of russia, earlier today they were flown to turkey. and soon they'll be wheels up on their way home to see their families. for the families and friends of evan gershkovich, paul whelan and dissidents like vladimir kara—murza, this is a moment to celebrate. but keep in mind — for the kremlin, it is mission accomplished. it got what it wanted. i think it was very difficult - for germany to agree to accept the idea that they would have to return a convicted assassin to russia in any circumstances. one of the biggest prisoner swaps since the cold war has taken place

between russia and the west. 26 people have been traded, some after spending years behind bars. also tonight... the bbc director general has defended the decision not to sack huw edwards despite knowinghe had been arrested while in possession of the most serious images of child sexual abuse. and we will bring you the latest on the stabbing in southport. the 17—year—old attacker has appeared in court today — charged with murdering three girls and attempting to murder ten others. good evening. the largest prisoner swap between russia and the us since the cold war has taken place in ankara today. 16 people were freed from russian and belarusianjails, including the wall streetjournal reporter evan gershkovich. in exchange, eight people were freed by the west. two children were also sent back to russia — both belonged to couple

jailed in slovenia. the exchange took place at ankara airport in a highly complex operation, with planes arriving from six different countries. russia, the united states, germany, poland, slovenia, and norway. among those freed by russia were gershkovich, the former us marine paul whelan and the journalist and joint us—russian citizen alsu kurmasheva. going the other way was the russian assassin vadim krasikov, who has been held in a german prison since 2019 for the murder of a chechen exile in berlin. additionally, several deep—cover illegal spies arrested in norway and slovenia, along with russians held on criminal charges in usjails. turkish intelligence says it's been helping to negotiate the exchange. it's understood delicate negotiations were under way for many months. here's our russia editor, steve rosenberg. it was a complex operation, planes flying in from east and west.

the location had been a closely guarded secret — ankara airport, the stage for the largest prisoner swap since the cold war. it involved 26 people being held in seven different countries. among those freed from russian jails, wall streetjournal reporter evan gershkovich, former us marine paul whelan and us russian journalist al sukhoru kova. released too, prominent kremlin critics and anti—war campaigners like vladimir kara—murza and human rights campaigner oleg orlov. back to russia, convicted assassin vadim krasikov, identified by a german court as having links to the russian state and nine others the kremlin wanted back. for paul whelan, this ends an ordeal that began more than five years ago when he was arrested in russia, convicted of spying and sentenced

to 16 years in prison. it's a charge he's always fiercely denied. speaking later from the white house, president biden gave his reaction. it says a lot about the united states that we work relentlessly to free americans who are unjustly held around the world. it also says a lot about us that this deal includes the release of russian political prisoners. they stood up for democracy and human rights. their own leaders threw them in prison. the united states helped secure their release as well. america has repeatedly accused moscow ofjailing us citizens with the aim of trading them for russians jailed abroad. for the families and friends of evan gershkovich, paul whelan and dissidents like vladimir kara—murza, this is a moment to celebrate. but keep in mind — for the kremlin, it is mission accomplished. it got what it wanted. it got its agents back. for moscow, the takeaway from all of this will be that hostage diplomacy works,

and that means we're likely to see more of it. more prisoners here being used as bargaining chips, and more prisoner exchanges like this one may be needed to bring them home. steve rosenberg, bbc news, moscow. with us tonight — russian political activist and political strategist maxim katz. he managed the election campaign of alexei navalny in 2013. his youtube channel about russian politics has more than two million subscribers. we are also joined by dr nigel gould—davies, former uk ambassador to belarus and now a senior fellow at international institute of strategic studies. think you both for being with us this evening. maybe i could start with you, because what we have learned in the last few hours from the national security adviser in the white house is that this deal was supposed to include elects a new bounty. he was part of negotiation

but was of course killed by the russian authorities. what do you make of that. —— alexei navalny. this was discussed back in february, and it was discussed back then and then germany also said they are not interested currently by anybody else except for alexei navalny. as far as we can know and understand now, this swap was prepared to include alexei navalny, but unfortunately he died in february he was killed in a russian jail. in february he was killed in a russianjail. he was not in february he was killed in a russian jail. he was not included in february he was killed in a russianjail. he was not included in that. sat russian “ail. he was not included in that. ., , ., , russian “ail. he was not included in that. ., , ., ., that. sat for his family to hear those details _ that. sat for his family to hear those details today. _ that. sat for his family to hear those details today. could - that. sat for his family to hear those details today. could you explain to us just the complexity of this, how difficult it is to bring 6-7 this, how difficult it is to bring 6—7 countries together to pull off

something of this magnitude. yes. 6-7 countries together to pull off something of this magnitude. yes, it is com - lex something of this magnitude. yes, it is complex with _ something of this magnitude. yes, it is complex with respect _ something of this magnitude. yes, it is complex with respect to _ something of this magnitude. yes, it is complex with respect to the - something of this magnitude. yes, it is complex with respect to the sheer| is complex with respect to the sheer numbers_ is complex with respect to the sheer numbers of— is complex with respect to the sheer numbers of people being exchanged, and as_ numbers of people being exchanged, and as you _ numbers of people being exchanged, and as you said, an additional layer of complexity that several countries are involved and they have to negotiate with one another. it seems that the _ negotiate with one another. it seems that the kremlin thought it could essentially deal with america and america — essentially deal with america and america would tell germany come of the real— america would tell germany come of the real prize as far as putin is concerned. _ the real prize as far as putin is concerned, the convicted killer, germany— concerned, the convicted killer, germany would simply do america's bidding, _ germany would simply do america's bidding, and that wasn't the case. these _ bidding, and that wasn't the case. these were — bidding, and that wasn't the case. these were independent countries, of course _ these were independent countries, of course 50— these were independent countries, of course. so there was a process of discussion— course. so there was a process of discussion and negotiation within the west— discussion and negotiation within the west as well as with russia. in addition _ the west as well as with russia. in addition to— the west as well as with russia. in addition to that, i think it is very significant — addition to that, i think it is very significant that it does not only the citizens of the two sides that

have _ the citizens of the two sides that have been— the citizens of the two sides that have been exchanged, but a number of russian _ have been exchanged, but a number of russian dissidents and activists including — russian dissidents and activists including people who have significant positions in alexei navalny's organisation and the west has managed to get them out as well. just before _ has managed to get them out as well. just before i_ has managed to get them out as well. just before i put that to our other guest, do you think all coming together in the last few days, was there a particular prisoner, like i said, dominoes, really that the others were going to come out as well, particularly focusing on the german medic who we didn't know much about, actually, he was on death row, we didn't know very much about him, and yet he is part of this deal, which you would guess unlocks in germany, the russian assassin who was being held in germany, so i'm just wondering if it was one leader

who suddenly said, yeah, we are prepared to deal and unlock the whole deal. go ahead, doctor, i will put it to you in a second. i whole deal. go ahead, doctor, iwill put it to you in a second.— put it to you in a second. i think it is likely _ put it to you in a second. i think it is likely that _ put it to you in a second. i think it is likely that he _ put it to you in a second. i think it is likely that he was _ put it to you in a second. i think it is likely that he was used - put it to you in a second. i think it is likely that he was used as l put it to you in a second. i think it is likely that he was used as a last—minute bargaining chip and there was clearly an end game where other prisoners were being added and covering agents in slovenia, but the larger point here, i don't think this is appreciated is how well overall the west has done here. stephen rosenberg made the point earlier and he's absolutely right that for putin, diplomacy works, but the west has got twice as many people out as russia has and it seems that putin was forced in the course of these months of complex

negotiations to accept a heavier price, as it were, then the parrot, the kind of one for one that is normally featured in these things, and if you are firm with vitamin pollutant and you hold out, for all of his toughness and bluster, if it's something he really wants, he will make concessions. that it's something he really wants, he will make concessions.— it's something he really wants, he will make concessions. that said, we used to trade — will make concessions. that said, we used to trade spies _ will make concessions. that said, we used to trade spies for _ will make concessions. that said, we used to trade spies for spies. - will make concessions. that said, we used to trade spies for spies. there i used to trade spies for spies. there is no equivalent between the people he was releasing on the people that have gone back the other way to russia. �* ., , , ., , russia. i'm not sure there is any exam - le russia. i'm not sure there is any example in _ russia. i'm not sure there is any example in the _ russia. i'm not sure there is any example in the history _ russia. i'm not sure there is any example in the history that - example in the history that political— example in the history that political prisoners would swap for spies _ political prisoners would swap for spies. maybe there is, but i don't know, _ spies. maybe there is, but i don't know, especially not in these numbers _ know, especially not in these numbers. people, for example, important — numbers. people, for example, important leaders of the russian opposition that was released here, and in _ opposition that was released here, and in my— opposition that was released here, and in my opinion it is very important, and in my opinion, this is the _ important, and in my opinion, this is the most — important, and in my opinion, this is the most important part of this swap _ is the most important part of this

swap it — is the most important part of this swap. it was not only a swap between, — swap. it was not only a swap between, for example, american citizens— between, for example, american citizens and german citizens, and russian _ citizens and german citizens, and russian citizens in these countries, russian _ russian citizens in these countries, russian dissidents are added into this deal— russian dissidents are added into this deal and this is in my opinion very significant and very important. i very significant and very important. i don't _ very significant and very important. idon't think— very significant and very important. i don't think putin wanted it. i idon't think putin wanted it. i think— i don't think putin wanted it. i think putin didn't want to include these _ think putin didn't want to include these people but as far as i know germany— these people but as far as i know germany in — these people but as far as i know germany in the united states insisted — germany in the united states insisted on that. these people were included. _ insisted on that. these people were included, and it is very important. when _ included, and it is very important. when we — included, and it is very important. when we talk about russian dissidents coming home, we should be very clear that they are not essentially coming home, they are going into exile, they are leaving russia, they are leaving their family and friends behind, and then there is always this question, maxine, about whether they abide by the russian... exchanged in 2010 and came to settle here in the uk. it came to settle here in the uk. it came after him and try to kill him. these risks are always with us. we

understand — these risks are always with us. we understand them. everybody who make any kind _ understand them. everybody who make any kind of— understand them. everybody who make any kind of russian political activity. _ any kind of russian political activity, especially the kind of political— activity, especially the kind of political activities that those people — political activities that those people exchange now are doing, we are always — people exchange now are doing, we are always under this risk. however, it is much— are always under this risk. however, it is much better to be abroad than in the _ it is much better to be abroad than in the russianjail. sol it is much better to be abroad than in the russianjail. so i hope the others _ in the russianjail. so i hope the others will— in the russianjail. so i hope the others will be able to have all the oppositional movement in the russian oppositional movement in the russian oppositional movement in the russian oppositional movement now when they are free _ oppositional movement now when they are free and _ oppositional movement now when they are free and can work, canjoin back to the _ are free and can work, canjoin back to the stage — are free and can work, canjoin back to the stage. i are free and can work, can 'oin back to the stage.— are free and can work, can 'oin back to the stage. i am curious about the timint. to the stage. i am curious about the timing- we — to the stage. i am curious about the timing- we are _ to the stage. i am curious about the timing. we are less _ to the stage. i am curious about the timing. we are less than _ to the stage. i am curious about the timing. we are less than 100 - to the stage. i am curious about the| timing. we are less than 100 days to an american election. theyjust handed joe biden a diplomatic coup. he looks like the arch strategist. he looks like the arch strategist. he �*s been able to bring the german

chancellor to the table. he's been able to strong—arm putin. why would russians give him that so close to an election?— an election? yeah, the first thing to sa is i an election? yeah, the first thing to say is i don't _ an election? yeah, the first thing to say is i don't think _ an election? yeah, the first thing to say is i don't think that - an election? yeah, the first thing to say is i don't think that the - to say is i don't think that the timing has anything to do with the very recent sort of turmoil and developments in the american political scene. developments in the american politicalscene. i developments in the american political scene. i think it is simply that the negotiations came to a conclusion. the fact that biden isn't standing again means that actually it is harder for the actually it is harderfor the biden administration overall to take credit. the current vice president, will as part of the white house want to be seen as part of this arrangement. but to the extent that joe biden claims credit for it, the fact that he is not standing for reelection makes it easierfor

russia to reach that agreement. the other point, just watching the kind of tone and dynamics of these long negotiations to reach this agreement today, it really stands out to me is how much, how committed vladimir putin was to bringing the assassin back. this single individual. things could have been a matter of... is that because he himself is a former kgb officer? i that because he himself is a former kgb officer?— kgb officer? i think that's absolutely _ kgb officer? i think that's absolutely right. - kgb officer? i think that's absolutely right. there i kgb officer? i think that's absolutely right. there is| kgb officer? | think that'sl absolutely right. there is a precedent. and, of course, a return in a similarswap precedent. and, of course, a return in a similar swap one—for—one in december of 2022, but there is this emphasis that putin has that we don't leave our own behind you bring back members of the russian intelligence services. and in this case that has been a lever and just amplifying the point, i think it's a really important one that the west has got out several opposition

figures out of russia. these figures, brave people, were given punitive exemplary prison sentences in russia to deter other people from also taking up oppositional activity. and now henceforth they will be free abroad at a safe distance or a safer distance to carry on their messages. really interesting- _ carry on their messages. really interesting. we _ carry on their messages. really interesting. we will _ carry on their messages. really interesting. we will get - carry on their messages. really interesting. we will get the - interesting. we will get the thoughts in the next hour, who himself has his own experience of being chased by the kremlin. just to say thank you to you both for being with us. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news.

the bbc has tonight defended its decision not to sack huw edwards despite knowing that he had been arrested for being in possession of the most serious category of indecent images of children. in an interview tonight

the director general tim davie says the bbc is exploring whether it can recover some of huw edwards' salary. he has been speaking to our colleague david sillito. yesterday, the bbc said it was shocked, but you knew about this in november of last year when huw edwards was arrested. you knew it related to child abuse and you didn't sack him. why? well, we were very shocked, and that's the first thing i want to say, which is, um, no one knew about the specifics of what we heard over the last few days, which has been deeply disturbing. now, when it comes to the decision that we made in november, when we were obviously faced with, i think, a very difficult decision, actually, and we considered it very carefully. the police came to us and gave us information that they had arrested, um, mr edwards, but they wanted to be assured of total confidence.

and the reason they rung us at that point was to ensure that — and it's a technical process, which is to ensure employees are protected and there's no risk. they are very clear that at that point it's totally confidential, a restricted number of people know, and as mr edwards was suspended at the time, so was not at the bbc, we could assure ourselves in terms of employees. and at that point we did have a decision. we really thought very long and hard, and considered it extremely carefully. and i think people will understand this, that when someone is arrested, there's no charges... also, anotherfactor at this point was a very significant duty of care considerations. i think it was right for us to say, "look, we'll let the police do their business. "and then when charges happen, we will act". not only did you not sack him,

you gave him a pay increase. well, very importantly, the pay rise dates from well before any allegations. there was a minor inflationary increase, which was the standard stuff, but in terms of the big pay rise, you saw in the annual report that related to, you know, the glory of hindsight here, but that related to, um, mr edwards's work at the bbc, um, extending the scope of his work at the bbc. and that relates to february way before any allegations the first sun story happened. so at that point, you have a salary set. in november, you knew this related to allegations of about images of child abuse. you're worried about the welfare of huw edwards. what about the welfare of the children?

well, we're absolutely, um, you know, the primary thoughts here are always for victims of these terrible situations and crimes. so why notjust sack him? because, quite simply, the police came to us and said, "look, we need to do our work in total confidence. "we've arrested. "please keep this confidential". and at that point, i think the principle is clear in my mind. and i say we thought long and hard about this. this wasn't a kneejerk decision, and it was difficult. but when the police now put, you know, if you think about this in terms of precedent, people do get arrested, and then we've had situations where no charges and there's nothing there to be followed up on. in this case, we knew it was serious. we knew no specifics, by the way, apart from the category of the potential offences. this wasn't the beginning, though. we had what the sun revealed in july of last year, and also bbc staff came with complaints about huw edwards. this was the end of a long process of realising what he was like.

well, i think there's very specific things. you've got to be careful, i think, not tojust lump everything together, and we have to deal with specifics and detail. so when the sun first ran their story, we absolutely did our investigation. we collected evidence. we provided that to the police. and by the way, we also did work on terms of our complaints process. we're very open about that. we also said to anyone, "if you've got any concerns, bring your concerns forward. "we will always look into them," which we always do, and that's how we ran the process. i'm satisfied we did that properly and judiciously. i have to say, you know, what we've seen in the last few days is, you know, truly... that's why i say truly shocking, because that is something that, you know, was completely unknown and very, very disturbing. and you do think about it. you know, you do think about the victims and the impacts on those individuals as your primary

concern, of course. the 17—year—old boy charged with murdering three girls and attempting to murder ten others in southport has appeared in court in liverpool. it's understood that the teenager from lancashire has a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder and has at times refused to leave his house. our home affairs correspondent daniel sandford was in court. three days after the horrifying mass stabbing in southport, the police's only suspect, axel rudi cabana, was brought to court in a white custody van. accompanied by two police cars, three riot vans and several other vehicles, he was driven to the main court complex in liverpool, where the road was briefly closed. dozens of other officers were providing extra security

because of tuesday night's riot in southport. the first hearing in the youth court lasted about five minutes. 17—year—old axel rudi cabana, who at that stage still could not be named, was wearing a police issued grey tracksuit made of a sweatshirt material. apart from a brief glance at the press benches, he kept his face covered at all times. throughout the hearing, because of the defendant's young age, the districtjudge spoke to him using only his first name, axel. as well as being charged with murder and attempted murder, he is also charged with possessing a kitchen knife with a curved blade. at a second hearing in the crown court an hour later, judge andrew menary kc lifted the legal restrictions, saying that "in the public interest, axel rudi cabana should be publicly named". the young girls he's accused of murdering at monday's taylor swift themed dance class are six—year—old bebe king, seven year old elsie dot stancombe, and nine—year—old alice de silva aguilar. he's accused of attempting to murder the class organiser,

leanne lucas, john hayes, who had rushed to help, and eight other young girls who can't be named because of court reporting restrictions. whilst these charges are a significant milestone within this investigation, this remains very much a live investigation, and we continue to work with our partners from lancashire police and counter terrorism policing north west. axel rudi cabana, seen here in old photos, was born in cardiff but grew up in southport and went to local schools. it's understood he has a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder, and has at times refused to leave the house. for the last seven years he'd been living in this close in the village of banks, just outside southport, with his parents, who were originally from rwanda. as he was driven from court, angry bystanders shouted at the van. he'll be held in youth detention accommodation at least until his 18th birthday next week.

his next court appearance will be a plea hearing on october the 25th. daniel sandford, bbc news at liverpool crown court. i want to take it to tel aviv where there is a concert under way and a demonstration of those families whose loved ones in captivity come among them, two children, nine months old when kidnapped, he has now spent most of his life in captivity. his brother, you see the faces of the hostages who are still being held by hamas. of course a cease—fire negotiation further away than they've been in recent times

given the assassination of the hamas political leader. we will talk about that and all of the issues in the middle east after the break. stay with us. hello there. it's been another hot and humid day. the heat and humidity one of the ingredients necessary for some massive thunderstorms to form. first signs of trouble, these towering cumulus clouds racing up through the earth's atmosphere. as well as the hot and humid air, the other ingredient was this convergence zone. look how most of the showers form along this zone. some particularly nasty storms, for example, around the oxfordshire area, and those downpours are capable of bringing a month's worth of rain over the space of a couple of hours. so we're quite likely to see one or two areas hit by some flash flooding and disruption. other areas to watch out for — the south downs, maybe some other

areas of east anglia and south—east england to watch out for over the next few hours. one or two of those storms, as i say, very nasty indeed. through the remainder of the night, eventually those storms will calm down. we'll be left with dry weather conditions for most areas, with some clear spells around. still quite warm and humid, particularly across central and eastern england. we've got this slightly fresher air with us in parts of scotland and northern ireland as well. now, heading into friday, an area of low pressure is set to bring some rain in from the north—west, and that band of rain is going to very slowly push its way eastwards through friday night and on into saturday. so taking about 36 hours or so to cross the uk. now, friday, many of us will start the day on a dry and sunny note, but it won't be long before we see that band of heavy rain push into northern ireland and western scotland, with strengthening gusts of wind. england and wales, a lot of dry, sunny and very warm weather. however, there could be one or two thunderstorms popping up through the afternoon across parts of east anglia and the far south—east of england as well, so we'll need to keep a close eye

on developments there. for saturday, the dregs of that weather front — this area of cloud, a few patches of rain — push into east anglia and south—east england before clearing. the rest of the uk, sunny spells, a few showers across the north—west, feeling fresher for many of us and even the temperatures across eastern england will start to fall back closer to average for the time of year. sunday, not a bad start to the day. most areas will see dry and sunny weather, but it turns cloudier across the north—west with outbreaks of rain for northern ireland and western scotland through the afternoon. temperatures on the whole quite close to average for the time of year. and then into next week, well, low pressure's often going to be close to the north—west of the uk, so it will be quite unsettled across north—western areas. but some drier and sunnier weather towards the south—east.

street to moscow to show you the prisoners that russia has freed coming back to moscow. you see vladimir putin on the tarmac to welcome them back to russia. eight prisoners that were being held in the west returning to moscow as part of this extraordinary arrangement that we are simply out today. we were hearing from our adjust —— just the last few minutes about the russian assessing who was held in berlin, fsb colonel who was held in berlin, fsb colonel who was held in berlin, fsb colonel who was accused of murdering a chechen dissident in a park in berlin, who was freed as part of this agreement, and i guess we are

saying that itjust