Exclusive: Paul Whelan tells CNN he is ‘disappointed’ that more has not been done to secure his release
2 years, 3 months ago

Exclusive: Paul Whelan tells CNN he is ‘disappointed’ that more has not been done to secure his release

CNN  

Washington CNN — Detained American Paul Whelan expressed his frustration that more has not been done to secure his release in an exclusive CNN interview hours after another detained American, Brittney Griner, was freed. Whelan said he would like to speak to Biden directly, noting he had spoken to an administration official earlier in the day about the situation, but “I think that message really needs to go to people like the president so they understand personally what I’m dealing with and what we deal with in these foreign prisons and under these circumstances.” “It’s quite obvious that I’m being held hostage,” he said. We will never give up.” The Biden administration has ideas about “new forms of offers” they are going to try with the Russians in an effort to secure Whelan’s release, a senior administration official said. National Security Council coordinator for strategic communications John Kirby said Thursday that the US is “not back to square one” in its negotiations for Whelan’s release. Whelan also noted that the war in Ukraine has created intense mistrust among the other prisoners about Americans, and with the Russians “saying that I’m a general in the US military, that I’m a spy, a secret agent with the DIA, that’s left me in a very precarious situation, because people look at me in a very dangerous time and say, ‘well, you’re one of them.’” Whelan said he tries to keep sane by reading “a lot of books” and writing letters.

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History of this topic

Biden speaks to families of 3 Americans detained in Afghanistan since 2022
Trending News
2 months, 2 weeks ago

Biden speaks to families of 3 Americans detained in Afghanistan since 2022

India Today  

US President Joe Biden spoke on Sunday with the families of three Americans detained in Afghanistan by its Taliban rulers since 2022, and emphasised his commitment to bringing home Americans wrongfully held overseas, the White House said. Biden's administration has been negotiating with the Taliban since at least July about a US proposal to release the three Americans - Ryan …

US offered to swap Guantanamo prisoner to free detained Americans in Afghanistan
2 months, 3 weeks ago

US offered to swap Guantanamo prisoner to free detained Americans in Afghanistan

CNN  

CNN — The US offered to trade a Guantanamo Bay prisoner in exchange for the release of three Americans held in Afghanistan, a source familiar told CNN. However, they said the administration is “working around the clock to ensure George, Ryan, and Mahmood’s safe return.” They also touted the successes by the Biden administration in securing the release of Americans …

Whelan says he spent last five days in Russian detention in solitary confinement
6 months, 2 weeks ago

Whelan says he spent last five days in Russian detention in solitary confinement

CNN  

CNN — Paul Whelan, who spent five-and-a-half years wrongfully detained in Russia, revealed Tuesday that he had spent the final five days leading up to his release in solitary confinement. “I couldn’t leave my cell, but I made it home,” he said in his first public comments since returning from Russia and completing the US government readjustment program known as …

3 newly freed Americans are back on US soil after a landmark prisoner exchange with Russia
7 months, 4 weeks ago

3 newly freed Americans are back on US soil after a landmark prisoner exchange with Russia

Deccan Chronicle  

Washington: The United States and Russia completed their biggest prisoner swap in post-Soviet history on Thursday, with Moscow releasing journalist Evan Gershkovich and fellow American Paul Whelan, along with dissidents including Vladimir Kara-Murza, in a multinational deal that set two dozen people free. Also released was Whelan, a Michigan corporate security executive jailed since 2018, also on espionage charges he …

Evan Gershkovich, Paul Whelan Land In U.S. After Prisoner Swap
7 months, 4 weeks ago

Evan Gershkovich, Paul Whelan Land In U.S. After Prisoner Swap

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and two others arrived home to the United States late Thursday night after a landmark prisoner exchange with Russia. President Biden and Vice President Harris greet Americans Evan Gershkovich, Paul Whelan and Alsu Kurmasheva freed from Russia at Joint Base Andrews. When asked what his message to Putin would be, Biden …

Biden secured Russian captives' freedom 'an hour before' he announced he was dropping out
7 months, 4 weeks ago

Biden secured Russian captives' freedom 'an hour before' he announced he was dropping out

Raw Story  

President Joe Biden finalized the deal to get Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan released from Russian captivity about an hour before he announced he was ending his re-election campaign. The eventual prisoner swap that saw Gershkovich and Whelan returned to the U.S. took place five months after the death of Russian opposition leader …

Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, Paul Whelan and others freed in prisoner exchange
7 months, 4 weeks ago

Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, Paul Whelan and others freed in prisoner exchange

Deccan Chronicle  

Washington: The United States and Russia completed their biggest prisoner swap in post-Soviet history on Thursday, with Moscow releasing Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and Michigan corporate security executive Paul Whelan in a multinational deal that set some two dozen people free, according to officials in Turkey, where the exchange took place. The trade followed years of secretive back-channel …

Russia releases US journalist and other Americans and dissidents in massive 24-person prisoner swap
7 months, 4 weeks ago

Russia releases US journalist and other Americans and dissidents in massive 24-person prisoner swap

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The United States and Russia completed their biggest prisoner swap in post-Soviet history on Thursday, with Moscow releasing journalist Evan Gershkovich and fellow American Paul Whelan, along with dissidents including Vladimir Kara-Murza, in a multinational deal that set two dozen people free, officials said. Under the deal, Russia released Gershkovich, a reporter for The Wall Street Journal who …

Russia releases US journalist and other Americans and dissidents in massive 24-person prisoner swap
7 months, 4 weeks ago

Russia releases US journalist and other Americans and dissidents in massive 24-person prisoner swap

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 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 {{ …

'Trump loses his hostage': Biden applauded for release of Gershkovich and Whelan
7 months, 4 weeks ago

'Trump loses his hostage': Biden applauded for release of Gershkovich and Whelan

Raw Story  

The Biden administration has secured the release of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan from Russian prisons as part of a prisoner swap, which wipes away one of Donald Trump's baffling campaign promises. "Trump loses his hostage as Evan Gershkovich is released," said Eric Columbus, former litigator for the U.S. House general counsel. "Wonderful …

US reporter Evan Gershkovich released by Russia in multi-country prisoner swap
7 months, 4 weeks ago

US reporter Evan Gershkovich released by Russia in multi-country prisoner swap

Hindustan Times  

Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan have been released by Russia in a multi-country prisoner swap between US and Russia, according to a Bloomberg report. FILE PHOTO: Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who faces charges of espionage, stands inside an enclosure for defendants as he attends a court hearing in Yekaterinburg, Russia July …

Americans released in prisoner swap with Russia are back on U.S. soil, welcomed by Biden and Harris
7 months, 4 weeks ago

Americans released in prisoner swap with Russia are back on U.S. soil, welcomed by Biden and Harris

LA Times  

This image released by the White House shows Evan Gershkovich, left, Alsu Kurmasheva, right, and Paul Whelan, second from right, and others aboard a plane Thursday after their release from Russian captivity. Soon, they’ll be wheels up, on their way home to see their family.” Sullivan called the negotiations “one of the largest and certainly one of the most complex …

Prisoner swap with Russia frees Americans including Evan Gershkovich and Paul Whelan
7 months, 4 weeks ago

Prisoner swap with Russia frees Americans including Evan Gershkovich and Paul Whelan

NPR  

Prisoner swap with Russia frees Americans including Evan Gershkovich and Paul Whelan toggle caption Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images In one of the largest prisoner swaps between the United States, its allies and Russia since the end of the Cold War, Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan are among more than a dozen prisoners …

Brittney Griner reacts to prisoner swap between U.S. and Russia: ‘This is a big win, huge win’
7 months, 4 weeks 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 …

US tells Russian minister Putin should release detained Americans including Gershkovich and Whelan
8 months, 2 weeks ago

US tells Russian minister Putin should release detained Americans including Gershkovich and Whelan

Associated Press  

UNITED NATIONS — The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations told Russia’s foreign minister on Tuesday that President Vladimir Putin should release detained Americans, singling out journalist Evan Gershkovich and ex-Marine Paul Whelan, and accused the Russian leader of treating “human beings as bargaining chips.” Linda Thomas-Greenfield took the opportunity of Moscow’s top diplomat, Sergey Lavrov, presiding at a U.N. …

Blinken talks to American detained in Russia, vows effort to free him
1 year, 1 month ago

Blinken talks to American detained in Russia, vows effort to free him

Hindustan Times  

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Tuesday that he spoke with Paul Whelan, a former Marine detained in Russia, as he vowed sustained efforts to free him as well as jailed journalist Evan Gershkovich. "Our intensive efforts to bring Paul home continue every single day, and they will until he and Evan Gershkovich and every other American wrongfully detained …

As US brings home large numbers of jailed Americans, some families are still waiting for their turn
1 year, 2 months ago

As US brings home large numbers of jailed Americans, some families are still waiting for their turn

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — By any standard, the past 18 months have been remarkable for getting wrongfully detained Americans home. Li, a Stanford University doctoral student, says though he feels “so much joy and happiness” for the other families — many of whom he’s become friendly with over the years — “I’d be lying if I didn’t say that then the next …

Paul Whelan sends desperate message to Biden from Russian prison on Christmas Eve
1 year, 3 months ago

Paul Whelan sends desperate message to Biden from Russian prison on Christmas Eve

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. It’s not a healthy environment.” Earlier this month, …

Russian official says US is hampering a prisoner exchange with unequal demands
1 year, 3 months ago

Russian official says US is hampering a prisoner exchange with unequal demands

Associated Press  

MOSCOW — A Russian deputy foreign minister said that talks with the United States on a potential prisoner exchange that would free Americans held in Russia are hampered by publicity and an alleged disparity in the U.S. negotiating stance. The U.S. State Department said last week that Russia rejected several proposals for freeing Paul Whelan, an American convicted of espionage, …

US made offer to bring home jailed Americans Paul Whelan and Evan Gershkovich. Russia rejected it
1 year, 3 months ago

US made offer to bring home jailed Americans Paul Whelan and Evan Gershkovich. Russia rejected it

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The Biden administration has made a new and significant offer aimed at securing the release of American detainees Paul Whelan and Evan Gershkovich, but Russia has rejected the offer, the State Department said Tuesday. Whelan, a corporate security executive from Michigan, has been jailed in Russia since his December 2018 arrest on espionage-related charges that both he and …

US ambassador visits American imprisoned for espionage
1 year, 6 months ago

US ambassador visits American imprisoned for espionage

Associated Press  

MOSCOW — The U.S. ambassador to Russia met Wednesday with imprisoned American Paul Whelan, who is serving a 16-year sentence on an espionage conviction that both Washington and Whelan dispute. Ambassador Lynne Tracy traveled to the prison colony about 350 kilometers east of Moscow where Whelan is held, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters. “Secretary Blinken had a call …

White House calls video of imprisoned US citizen Paul Whelan ‘reassuring’
1 year, 7 months ago

White House calls video of imprisoned US citizen Paul Whelan ‘reassuring’

Al Jazeera  

Whelan has been detained in Russia for more than four years on espionage charges that he and the US say are illegitimate. The administration of United States President Joe Biden has said that it was comforted to see video footage of Paul Whelan, a US citizen jailed in Russia on espionage charges. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, White House spokesperson …

US ambassador makes third visit to jailed journalist Evan Gershkovich
1 year, 7 months ago

US ambassador makes third visit to jailed journalist Evan Gershkovich

Al Jazeera  

Ambassador Lynne Tracy renewed her appeal for Russia to release the reporter as well as imprisoned US Marine Paul Whelan. The United States ambassador to Russia has reiterated her call for the release of journalist Evan Gershkovich after making a third visit to the jailed Wall Street Journal reporter. “Once again, the United States calls on the Russian Federation to …

Biden adviser says US is pressing for the release of reporter who has spent 100 days in Russian jail
1 year, 8 months ago

Biden adviser says US is pressing for the release of reporter who has spent 100 days in Russian jail

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan on Friday said the U.S. has been in contact with Russian officials to press for the release of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich as Friday marked the 100th day of the journalist being detained by the Russian government. Sullivan said he also spoke with Gershkovich’s family representatives and Wall Street …

Russia extends arrest of US journalist Evan Gershkovich by 3 months
1 year, 10 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 …

US ambassador visits American Paul Whelan at Russian prison
1 year, 10 months ago

US ambassador visits American Paul Whelan at Russian prison

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 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 {{ …

US envoy to UN urges Russian foreign minister to free detainees
1 year, 11 months ago

US envoy to UN urges Russian foreign minister to free detainees

Al Jazeera  

At the UN Security Council, US envoy says Paul Whelan and Evan Gershkovich have been used by Moscow as ‘human pawns’. The United States envoy to the United Nations has made a direct appeal to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, urging him to release two US citizens currently detained in Russia. During a UN Security Council meeting on Monday chaired …

Brittney Griner working on memoir about Russian captivity
1 year, 11 months ago

Brittney Griner working on memoir about Russian captivity

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 Saying she is ready to …

Biden speaks with family of WSJ reporter detained in Russia
1 year, 11 months ago

Biden speaks with family of WSJ reporter detained in Russia

Al Jazeera  

Evan Gershkovich’s family welcomes the US government decision to formally designate reporter as ‘wrongfully detained’. United States President Joe Biden has spoken with the family of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich after calling the reporter’s detention in Russia “totally illegal”. Biden made the call from his presidential jet on Tuesday while en route to Northern Ireland, a day after …

US finds WSJ reporter in Russia is wrongfully detained
1 year, 11 months ago

US finds WSJ reporter in Russia is wrongfully detained

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The Biden administration formally determined Monday that a Wall Street …

Blinken says WSJ reporter ‘wrongfully detained’ by Russia
1 year, 11 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 …

Brittney Griner Speaks Out Following Journalist's Arrest In Russia
1 year, 11 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 …

Blinken speaks to Russian foreign minister about WSJ reporter Evan Gershkovich and Paul Whelan
1 year, 11 months ago

Blinken speaks to Russian foreign minister about WSJ reporter Evan Gershkovich and Paul Whelan

CNN  

CNN — US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke Sunday with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and called for the “immediate release” of detained Americans Evan Gershkovich and Paul Whelan, according to the US State Department. “Secretary Blinken further urged the Kremlin to immediately release wrongfully detained U.S. citizen Paul Whelan,” the readout continued, adding that the secretary and Lavrov …

Biden to Russia on detained US journalist: ‘Let him go’
1 year, 11 months ago

Biden to Russia on detained US journalist: ‘Let him go’

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden on Friday urged Russia to release Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who was arrested on espionage charges — allegations the newspaper denies. “Let him go,” Biden told reporters at the White House when asked about his message to Russia on the arrest of Gershkovich. Asked Friday whether he would expel Russian diplomats or journalists …

Biden to Russia on detained U.S. journalist: 'Let him go'
1 year, 11 months ago

Biden to Russia on detained U.S. journalist: 'Let him go'

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy President Joe Biden on Friday urged Russia to release Wall …

Putin has broken one of the last taboos in a naked ploy for leverage
2 years ago

Putin has broken one of the last taboos in a naked ploy for leverage

The Telegraph  

No one who knows Evan Gershkovich believes he is a spy. Under expanded war-time national security laws, that might be enough for the FSB to come up with a narrowly legal pretext for holding him, however absurd. The entire US press corps can be relied on to pressure the White House to get their colleague back, adding to the likelihood …

Blinken reveals US has put forward a ‘serious proposal’ to free Paul Whelan from Russia
2 years ago

Blinken reveals US has put forward a ‘serious proposal’ to free Paul Whelan from Russia

CNN  

CNN — US Secretary of State Antony Blinken publicly revealed for the first time Thursday that the United States has put forward a “serious proposal” to secure wrongfully detained Paul Whelan’s release from Russia. Notably, prior to Thursday’s engagement, the last time Blinken spoke with Lavrov – and the only other time the two have spoken directly since the war …

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

US marks anniversary of Paul Whelan’s detention in Russia
2 years, 3 months ago

US marks anniversary of Paul Whelan’s detention in Russia

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The Biden administration is marking the four-year anniversary of the detention in Russia of American businessman Paul Whelan, whose continued imprisonment is one of several major irritants in tattered relations between Washington and Moscow. Blinken said Whelan and his family are “suffering through an unfathomable ordeal” and he again condemned the American’s conviction, which was based on secret …

US marks four year anniversary of Paul Whelan detention in Russia
2 years, 3 months ago

US marks four year anniversary of Paul Whelan detention in Russia

Al Jazeera  

The former US marine is serving a 16-year sentence for alleged espionage, though his family maintains his innocence. The administration of United States President Joe Biden is marking the four-year anniversary of American businessman Paul Whelan‘s detention in Russia, an imprisonment that remains a major irritant in relations between Washington and Moscow. Today marks a terrible milestone for Paul Whelan: …

Biden administration renews commitment to free Paul Whelan on fourth anniversary of his detention in Russia
2 years, 3 months ago

Biden administration renews commitment to free Paul Whelan on fourth anniversary of his detention in Russia

CNN  

CNN — The Biden administration on Wednesday renewed its commitment to secure the release of American Paul Whelan on the fourth anniversary of his wrongful detention in Russia, as Whelan’s family expressed hope that he would not mark yet another milestone in Russian prison. “Today marks four years that Paul Whelan has spent wrongfully detained, away from his family, suffering …

Brittney Griner asks supporters to advocate for Paul Whelan
2 years, 3 months 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 Urges Supporters To Write Letters To Paul Whelan In Russian Prison
2 years, 3 months ago

Brittney Griner Urges Supporters To Write Letters To Paul Whelan In Russian Prison

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING In a handwritten note posted to Instagram, WNBA star Brittney Griner thanked supporters for writing to her while she was imprisoned in Russia and urged them to do the same for Paul Whelan, an American who remains incarcerated in the country. However, there remain too many families with loved ones wrongfully detained.” Griner then asked her fans …

White House casts doubt on claims that Trump administration tried to free Paul Whelan
2 years, 3 months ago

White House casts doubt on claims that Trump administration tried to free Paul Whelan

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Although members of Mr Whelan’s family were able to secure at least one meeting …

‘I want to talk': Griner opened up during her long trip home
2 years, 3 months ago

‘I want to talk': Griner opened up during her long trip home

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — WNBA star Brittney Griner didn’t want any alone time as soon as she boarded a U.S. government plane that would bring her home. I want to talk,” Griner said, according to Roger Carstens, the special presidential envoy for hostage affairs, who helped secure the basketball star’s release and bring her back to the U.S. last week. She then …

Trump Claims He Turned Down Deal To Free Paul Whelan
2 years, 3 months ago

Trump Claims He Turned Down Deal To Free Paul Whelan

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING Former President Donald Trump claimed he turned down a deal to free former Marine Paul Whelan from a Russian prison while he was in office after a former White House national security official said Trump was “not particularly interested” in the case. “I also have to say here that President Trump wasn’t especially interested in engaging in …

White House denies Saudi claim MBS negotiated Brittney Griner and Viktor Bout prisoner swap
2 years, 3 months ago

White House denies Saudi claim MBS negotiated Brittney Griner and Viktor Bout prisoner swap

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The White House has denied claims that Saudi Crown Prince …

How Brittney Griner’s release from a Russian prison puts the spotlight on Paul Whelan
2 years, 3 months 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 …

Brittney Griner heads back to US after release from Russia in prisoner swap
2 years, 3 months 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 …

Griner freed: WNBA star swapped for Russian, heads home
2 years, 3 months 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 …

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