Russian court hears appeal by Griner against 9-year sentence
2 years, 2 months ago

Russian court hears appeal by Griner against 9-year sentence

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A Russian court on Tuesday started hearing American basketball star Brittney Griner’s appeal against her nine-year prison sentence for drug possession. Reflecting the growing pressure on the Biden administration to do more to bring Griner home, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken took the unusual step of revealing publicly in July that Washington had made a “substantial proposal” to get Griner home, along with Paul Whelan, an American serving a 16-year sentence in Russia for espionage. Blinken didn’t elaborate, but The Associated Press and other news organizations have reported that Washington has offered to exchange Griner and Whelan for Viktor Bout, a Russian arms dealer who is serving a 25-year sentence in the U.S. and once earned the nickname the “merchant of death.” The White House said it has not yet received a productive response from Russia to the offer. The White House said after the meetings that the president stressed to the families his “continued commitment to working through all available avenues to bring Brittney and Paul home safely.” The Biden administration carried out a prisoner swap in April, with Moscow releasing Marine veteran Trevor Reed in exchange for the U.S. releasing a Russian pilot, Konstantin Yaroshenko, convicted in a drug trafficking conspiracy.

Russia Washington Biden Russian Moscow Sentence Griner Vinnik  russia  9year  appeal  court  sentence  hears  griner  washington  sign  breaking  whelan  moscow  biden  russian

History of this topic

Brittney Griner reacts to prisoner swap between U.S. and Russia: ‘This is a big win, huge win’
5 months, 1 week ago

Brittney Griner reacts to prisoner swap between U.S. and Russia: ‘This is a big win, huge win’

New York Times  

VILLENEUVE-D’ASCQ, France — Team USA center Brittney Griner had just come off the court after her team beat Belgium in group play at the Paris Games when she was asked about her reaction to the news that Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan were part of a massive prisoner swap between Russia and several …

Brittney Griner book: The shocking truth of her time in Russian prison.
8 months ago

Brittney Griner book: The shocking truth of her time in Russian prison.

Slate  

I would watch a show where Tucker Carlson interviews Brittney Griner. At one point in Coming Home, Griner’s new memoir of her forced stay in Russia for most of 2022, the nine-time WNBA All-Star and two-time Olympic gold medalist quotes Nelson Mandela’s words: “No one truly knows a nation until one has been inside its jails.” By that measure, Griner …

Brittney Griner says she contemplated suicide, recalling experience in Russian prisons
8 months, 1 week ago

Brittney Griner says she contemplated suicide, recalling experience in Russian prisons

Salon  

For years, Brittney Griner was WNBA's most high-profile athlete, known for her 6-foot-9 nine stature, her 7-foot wingspan and her NCAA record-breaking slam dunks. In a New York Times profile published on Thursday, Griner recalled the events surrounding her arrest, subsequent nine-year prison sentence and eventual release in a high-profile prisoner swap at the center of a bitter, contentious rivalry …

Brittney Griner says she thought about killing herself during first few weeks in Russian jail
8 months, 1 week ago

Brittney Griner says she thought about killing herself during first few weeks in Russian jail

Associated Press  

PHOENIX — WNBA star Brittney Griner said she thought about killing herself during her first few weeks in a Russian jail after her 2022 arrest on drug-related charges. Griner was detained after arriving at a Moscow airport after Russian authorities said a search of her luggage revealed vape cartridges allegedly containing oil derived from cannabis. “I wanted to take my …

Brittney Griner discusses ‘mental lapse’ that led to detainment, conditions of Russian prison
8 months, 1 week ago

Brittney Griner discusses ‘mental lapse’ that led to detainment, conditions of Russian prison

New York Times  

Phoenix Mercury star Brittney Griner opened up about her nearly 10-month detainment in Russia and the “mental lapse” that led to her arrest at a Moscow-area airport after authorities found less than one gram of hashish oil in vape canisters in her luggage. GO DEEPER ‘You’re not forgotten’: The letters that sustained Brittney Griner in prison Griner told “20/20” that …

Brittney Griner reflects on ‘lapse’ over cannabis vape that led Russian jail time
8 months, 1 week ago

Brittney Griner reflects on ‘lapse’ over cannabis vape that led Russian jail time

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy WNBA star Brittney Griner …

Russia extends detention of WSJ reporter Evan Gershkovich by three months
9 months, 2 weeks ago

Russia extends detention of WSJ reporter Evan Gershkovich by three months

Al Jazeera  

Moscow court extends journalist’s arrest on espionage charges, ensuring he spends more than a year in prison. The Moscow City Court ordered on Tuesday that the 32-year-old Wall Street Journal reporter remain behind bars until June 30 as he awaits trial on espionage charges. The United States embassy slammed the decision, which ensures that the journalist will spend a year …

Shocking video shows right-wing YouTuber harassing Brittney Griner at airport
1 year, 6 months ago

Shocking video shows right-wing YouTuber harassing Brittney Griner at airport

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Brittney Griner’s team has …

Russia extends arrest of US journalist Evan Gershkovich by 3 months
1 year, 7 months ago

Russia extends arrest of US journalist Evan Gershkovich by 3 months

Associated Press  

MOSCOW — A Russian court on Tuesday extended the arrest of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich by three months in a closed-door hearing emblematic of the secrecy that has marked the case against the first United States correspondent since the Cold War to be detained in Russia on spying charges. State news agency Tass said the session was closed …

‘A day of joy': Brittney Griner makes WNBA season debut after being jailed in Russia
1 year, 7 months ago

‘A day of joy': Brittney Griner makes WNBA season debut after being jailed in Russia

Associated Press  

LOS ANGELES — Brittney Griner stood for the national anthem before her first regular-season WNBA game since being jailed in Russia. “Just being able to hear my national anthem and see my flag, I definitely want to stand.” Griner had 18 points, six rebounds and four blocked shots Friday night for the Phoenix Mercury in a 94-71 loss to the …

‘Day of joy’ as Brittney Griner returns to WNBA
1 year, 7 months ago

‘Day of joy’ as Brittney Griner returns to WNBA

Firstpost  

Los Angeles: Brittney Griner made an emotional return to women’s basketball on Friday, playing her first competitive game in nearly two years following her incarceration in Russia. The result, however, was almost a footnote to an occasion that Phoenix coach Vanessa Nygaard described as a “day of joy.” “All last season I opened every press conference with how many days …

WNBA: Brittney Griner greeted by US VP Harris in return to court
1 year, 7 months ago

WNBA: Brittney Griner greeted by US VP Harris in return to court

The Hindu  

Brittney Griner returned to the WNBA hardwood on Friday night in Los Angeles to cheers from a raucous crowd that included US Vice President Kamala Harris. It felt like the last time I played,” a smiling Griner said of making the shot after missing all of last season while detained in Russia for nearly 10 months. “I definitely feel it, …

Brittney Griner plays in first WNBA preseason game since detainment in Russia
1 year, 7 months ago

Brittney Griner plays in first WNBA preseason game since detainment in Russia

The Independent  

Sign up to our free sport newsletter for all the latest news on everything from cycling to boxing Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our …

Brittney Griner plays first WNBA pre-season game since detainment in Russia
1 year, 7 months ago

Brittney Griner plays first WNBA pre-season game since detainment in Russia

Firstpost  

Griner returned to game action for the first time since a nearly 10-month detainment in Russia on drug-related charges ended with a prisoner swap Phoenix: Brittney Griner strolled down the sideline about 1 1/2 hours before the Phoenix Mercury played Friday night, giving hugs and high-fiving her teammates, coaches and opposing players. “I’m not going to take a day for …

Brittney Griner plays in first WNBA preseason game since detainment in Russia
1 year, 7 months ago

Brittney Griner plays in first WNBA preseason game since detainment in Russia

The Hindu  

Brittney Griner strolled down the sideline about 1 and 1/2 hours before Phoenix Mercury played Friday night and hugged and high-fived her teammates, coaches and opposing players. Griner returned to game action for the first time since a nearly 10-month detainment in Russia on drug-related charges which ended with a prisoner swap in December. The seven-time All-Star, who missed the …

Brittney Griner gets emotional discussing Russian detainment
1 year, 8 months ago

Brittney Griner gets emotional discussing Russian detainment

Associated Press  

PHOENIX — Hope bounced around Brittney Griner like a buoy and an anchor. “A LOT of media in here today.” Griner gained international attention in February 2022, when she was arrested after Russian authorities said a search of her luggage revealed vape cartridges containing cannabis oil. “I’m no stranger to hard times,” Griner said, fighting back tears. “Walking around town …

Brittney Griner gets emotional discussing Russian detainment
1 year, 8 months ago

Brittney Griner gets emotional discussing Russian detainment

The Hindu  

Brittney Griner got emotional quickly. “I’m no stranger to hard times,” Griner said Thursday from the lobby of the Footprint Center, home of the Phoenix Mercury and the NBA’s Phoenix Suns. I just relied on my hard work to get through it.” Griner’s first news conference drew more than 100 people, including Arizona Gov. Griner was arrested in February 2022 …

Watch: Brittney Griner holds first news conference since Russia prison release
1 year, 8 months ago

Watch: Brittney Griner holds first news conference since Russia prison release

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for …

Wall Street Journal reporter’s appeal for release from Russian jail is denied
1 year, 8 months ago

Wall Street Journal reporter’s appeal for release from Russian jail is denied

LA Times  

A Wall Street Journal reporter arrested on spying allegations as part of a sweeping Kremlin crackdown on press freedom amid the war in Ukraine will remain jailed, a Russian judge ruled Tuesday. Everyone says hello!” Russia’s Federal Security Service detained Gershkovich in Yekaterinburg on March 29 and accused him of trying to obtain classified information about a Russian arms factory. …

Official: Russia may discuss swap involving WSJ reporter
1 year, 8 months ago

Official: Russia may discuss swap involving WSJ reporter

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors …

Brittney Griner plans ‘intimate, moving’ memoir on imprisonment in Russia
1 year, 8 months ago

Brittney Griner plans ‘intimate, moving’ memoir on imprisonment in Russia

The Hindu  

Brittney Griner is ready to share the story of her nearly 10 months in Russian custody. Griner, 32, said in a statement on Tuesday her memoir would be a detailed and thorough account of being arrested in February 2022, tried in a Russian court and convicted with a sentence that included time at a penal colony. Publishing company Alfred A. …

Brittney Griner working on memoir about Russian captivity
1 year, 8 months ago

Brittney Griner working on memoir about Russian captivity

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — Saying she is ready to share the “unfathomable” experience of being arrested and incarcerated in Russia, basketball star Brittney Griner is working on a memoir that is scheduled for spring 2024. Readers will hear my story and understand why I’m so thankful for the outpouring of support from people across the world.” Griner added that she also …

Brittney Griner Working On Memoir About Russian Captivity
1 year, 8 months ago

Brittney Griner Working On Memoir About Russian Captivity

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING NEW YORK — Saying she is ready to share the “unfathomable” experience of being arrested and incarcerated in Russia, basketball star Brittney Griner is working on a memoir that is scheduled for spring 2024. Brittney Griner appears on stage at the 54th NAACP Image Awards in Pasadena, Calif., on Feb. 25, 2023. via Associated Press “That day …

Brittney Griner to detail ‘unfathomable’ Russian arrest and detention in new memoir
1 year, 8 months ago

Brittney Griner to detail ‘unfathomable’ Russian arrest and detention in new memoir

LA Times  

Brittney Griner announced that she will write a memoir about her arrest and 10-month detention in Russia. Griner will detail the “incredibly challenging 10 months of detainment” in Russia in an upcoming memoir, she announced Tuesday. While Griner’s arrest is at the center of the upcoming book, she said the book is also for other Americans who are imprisoned overseas, …

Brittney Griner working on memoir about Russian detainment, ‘an unfathomable period in my life’
1 year, 8 months ago

Brittney Griner working on memoir about Russian detainment, ‘an unfathomable period in my life’

New York Times  

WNBA star Brittney Griner is working on a memoir detailing her arrest and detainment in a Russian prison. Readers will hear my story and understand why I’m so thankful for the outpouring of support from people across the world.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by BG Like many WNBA players, Griner, a center for the Phoenix Mercury, …

Blinken says WSJ reporter ‘wrongfully detained’ by Russia
1 year, 9 months ago

Blinken says WSJ reporter ‘wrongfully detained’ by Russia

Associated Press  

BRUSSELS — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Wednesday he has “no doubt” that Russia has wrongfully detained an American reporter for The Wall Street Journal who was arrested last week on spying allegations. “But I want to make sure, as always, because there is a formal process that we go through it and we will and I expect …

Blinken says WSJ reporter 'wrongfully detained' by Russia
1 year, 9 months ago

Blinken says WSJ reporter 'wrongfully detained' by Russia

The Independent  

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Antony Blinken calls on Russia to end ‘unacceptable’ detention of US reporter
1 year, 9 months ago

Antony Blinken calls on Russia to end ‘unacceptable’ detention of US reporter

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy US Secretary of State …

Brittney Griner urges President Biden to bring Wall Street Journal reporter held in Russia home
1 year, 9 months ago

Brittney Griner urges President Biden to bring Wall Street Journal reporter held in Russia home

Daily Mail  

Brittney Griner has shown support for Americans held abroad since her release Brittney Griner has urged the Biden administration to keep using 'every tool possible' to win the release of a US reporter accused of spying in Russia. Griner and her wife Cherelle wrote on Instagram that 'our hearts are filled with great concern' for Evan Gershkovich, the Wall Street …

Brittney Griner Speaks Out Following Journalist's Arrest In Russia
1 year, 9 months ago

Brittney Griner Speaks Out Following Journalist's Arrest In Russia

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING WASHINGTON — American basketball star Brittney Griner and her wife are concerned about the detainment in Russia of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and said “we must do everything in our power to bring him and all Americans home.” “Every American who is taken is ours to fight for and every American returned is a win …

US had ‘direct conversations’ with Russia on Paul Whelan since Griner’s release, State Department says
2 years ago

US had ‘direct conversations’ with Russia on Paul Whelan since Griner’s release, State Department says

CNN  

CNN — US officials “have had direct conversations with Russian officials regarding Paul Whelan,” an American wrongfully detained in Russia, since the release of fellow wrongfully detained American Brittney Griner, State Department spokesperson Ned Price said Tuesday. Whelan, who called CNN exclusively from his remote penal colony in the hours following Griner’s release, said he hoped President Joe Biden and …

Brittney Griner asks supporters to advocate for Paul Whelan
2 years ago

Brittney Griner asks supporters to advocate for Paul Whelan

Associated Press  

Brittney Griner has asked her supporters in a social media post to advocate for Paul Whelan, a former Marine serving a 16-year prison term in Russia for espionage charges the United States are baseless. The U.S. had sought to secure the release of both Whelan and Griner — the WNBA star detained at a Moscow airport in February for having …

Brittney Griner says she’ll play basketball in Arizona again
2 years ago

Brittney Griner says she’ll play basketball in Arizona again

Associated Press  

Brittney Griner said she’s “grateful” to be back in the United States and plans on playing basketball again next season for the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury. After months of strained negotiations, and an extraordinarily rare public revelation by the Biden administration that it had made a “substantial proposal” to bring home Griner and another detained American, Paul Whelan, the case resolved …

Brittney Griner says she'll play basketball in Arizona again
2 years ago

Brittney Griner says she'll play basketball in Arizona again

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Brittney Griner said she's “grateful” …

Brittney Griner says she will return to playing basketball
2 years ago

Brittney Griner says she will return to playing basketball

Al Jazeera  

In first remarks since returning to the US, WNBA star thanks all who pushed for her release from Russian prison. United States basketball star Brittney Griner, who was released from detention in Russia last week, has said she will be back on the court with her Women’s National Basketball Association team next season. The two-time Olympic gold medallist also expressed …

Special envoy gives details of Griner's homecoming
2 years ago

Special envoy gives details of Griner's homecoming

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy WNBA star Brittney Griner didn’t …

Griner in ‘good spirits’ in US after Russian prisoner swap
2 years, 1 month ago

Griner in ‘good spirits’ in US after Russian prisoner swap

Associated Press  

SAN ANTONIO — Brittney Griner returned to the United States Friday and was reunited with her wife nearly 10 months after her detention in Russia made the basketball star the most high-profile American jailed abroad and set off a political firestorm. Asked if more such swaps could happen, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Friday that “everything is possible,” noting that …

US basketball star Brittney Griner arrives home after Russia prisoner swap
2 years, 1 month ago

US basketball star Brittney Griner arrives home after Russia prisoner swap

Firstpost  

Griner, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, WNBA champion and LGBTQ trailblazer, was arrested at a Moscow airport against a backdrop of soaring tensions over Ukraine. Washington: American basketball star Brittney Griner arrived in the United States Friday morning after she was released from a Russian prison in exchange for an arms dealer known as the “Merchant of Death.” Griner, 32, …

Griner swap wasn’t all US hoped for, but what it could get
2 years, 1 month ago

Griner swap wasn’t all US hoped for, but what it could get

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s surprise announcement last July lacked any detail, but its meaning was crystal clear. In a rare comment on secret talks, he said the Biden administration had made a “substantial proposal” to Russia to end the imprisonment of two Americans: WNBA star Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan. “For totally illegitimate reasons, Russia is treating …

Brittney Griner back home in US after Russian prisoner swap
2 years, 1 month ago

Brittney Griner back home in US after Russian prisoner swap

The Hindu  

American basketball star Brittney Griner returned to the United States early Friday after being freed in a high-profile prisoner exchange following nearly 10 months in detention in Russia. American basketball star Brittney Griner gets out of a plane after landing at the JBSA-Kelly Field Annex runway on December 9, 2022 in San Antonio | Photo Credit: AFP Griner is a …

Brittney Griner back home in U.S. after Russian prisoner swap
2 years, 1 month ago

Brittney Griner back home in U.S. after Russian prisoner swap

The Hindu  

Brittney Griner returned to the United States early on December 9, nearly 10 months after the basketball star’s detention in Russia made her the most high-profile American jailed abroad and set off a political firestorm. Mr. Biden’s authorization to release Bout, the Russian felon once nicknamed “the Merchant of Death,” underscored the heightened urgency that his administration faced to get …

How Brittney Griner’s release from a Russian prison puts the spotlight on Paul Whelan
2 years, 1 month ago

How Brittney Griner’s release from a Russian prison puts the spotlight on Paul Whelan

Firstpost  

Paul Whelan, a former Marine who became a corporate security executive, was arrested at a Moscow hotel in December 2018 and accused of spying. He was convicted in June 2020 on espionage charges, which the US government says were manufactured The release on Thursday of Brittney Griner, the American basketball star imprisoned in Russia, also puts a spotlight on Paul …

Explained: Who is Brittney Griner, the US basketball star released from a Russian prison?
2 years, 1 month ago

Explained: Who is Brittney Griner, the US basketball star released from a Russian prison?

Firstpost  

Before being arrested by Russian authorities for possessing cannabis oil in February, Brittney Griner had an amazing career in basketball, winning two Olympic gold medals for the American team. After 10 long months, she now returns home after a prisoner swap with Moscow for arms dealer Viktor Bout A nightmare that lasted for 10 long months has come to an …

Brittney Griner heads back to US after release from Russia in prisoner swap
2 years, 1 month ago

Brittney Griner heads back to US after release from Russia in prisoner swap

Firstpost  

Brittney Griner, who was arrested in Russia in February on drug charges, and Viktor Bout, who was serving a 25-year sentence in a US prison, were exchanged at an airport in Abu Dhabi. American basketball star Brittney Griner was headed back to the United States on Thursday after being released from a Russian prison in exchange for an arms dealer …

Explained: Why Brittney Griner's swap isn't the deal the US wanted
2 years, 1 month ago

Explained: Why Brittney Griner's swap isn't the deal the US wanted

Firstpost  

The Joe Biden administration made a ‘substantial proposal’ to Russia to free two Americans, WNBA star Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan. In a rare comment on secret talks, he said the Biden administration had made a “substantial proposal” to Russia to end the imprisonment of two Americans: WNBA star Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan. “For totally illegitimate reasons, Russia is …

Griner freed: WNBA star swapped for Russian, heads home
2 years, 1 month ago

Griner freed: WNBA star swapped for Russian, heads home

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — American basketball star Brittney Griner headed home Thursday night, freed from Russian prison in exchange for the U.S. releasing notorious Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout in the culmination of an eight-month saga of high diplomacy and dashed hopes. “She’s safe, she’s on a plane, she’s on her way home,” Biden said from the White House, where he was …

Brittney Griner back on U.S. soil after Russian prisoner swap
2 years, 1 month ago

Brittney Griner back on U.S. soil after Russian prisoner swap

LA Times  

WNBA star Brittney Griner deplanes in San Antonio on Friday after her release in a prisoner swap with Russia. Asked whether more such swaps could happen, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Friday that “everything is possible,” noting that “compromises have been found” to clear the way for Thursday’s exchange. Biden’s authorization to release Bout, the Russian felon once nicknamed “the …

Griner-Bout prisoner swap: A sign of easing US-Russia tensions?
2 years, 1 month ago

Griner-Bout prisoner swap: A sign of easing US-Russia tensions?

Al Jazeera  

The high-profile exchange was a rare moment of agreement between two nations locked in conflict over Ukraine. On Thursday, 32-year-old American basketball player Brittney Griner was swapped for 55-year-old Viktor Bout, an infamous Russian arms dealer nicknamed “The Merchant of Death”. Mark Galeotti, an expert on Russian security affairs, told Al Jazeera via email: “There was considerable political pressure on …

Brittney Griner lands in the US after Russia prisoner exchange
2 years, 1 month ago

Brittney Griner lands in the US after Russia prisoner exchange

Al Jazeera  

The prisoner swap deal was reached in months of talks between Washington and Moscow. Griner, a 32-year-old star centre for the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury, was arrested at a Russian airport in February and she later pleaded guilty to charges stemming from the discovery of cannabis-derived oil cartridges in her luggage. The two countries also traded prisoners in April when Russia …

Putin, secret talks and the 'Merchant of Death': US basketball star Brittney Griner's long road to freedom from a Russian penal colony
2 years, 1 month ago

Putin, secret talks and the 'Merchant of Death': US basketball star Brittney Griner's long road to freedom from a Russian penal colony

ABC  

When US basketball star Brittney Griner was taken from a Russian penal colony and flown to Abu Dhabi, America's chief hostage negotiator was waiting for her on the tarmac. Joe Biden's agonising decision US officials were hopeful that the Kremlin wanted Bout badly enough that it would be willing to exchange him for both Griner and Whelan. A White House …

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