Russia confirms it IS in talks swap Brittney Griner for 'Merchant of Death' arms dealer
2 years, 4 months ago

Russia confirms it IS in talks swap Brittney Griner for 'Merchant of Death' arms dealer

Daily Mail  

Russia has today confirmed for the first time that it is in talks to swap Brittney Griner for Viktor Bout, the notorious 'Merchant of Death' arms dealer who has been imprisoned in the US since 2010. A source close to the negotiations said Biden's position had weakened now that Griner has been found guilty and sentenced. A source close to the ongoing negotiations told DailyMail.com that a deal to swap Brittney Griner with Viktor Bout is now more likely than ever, and could be completed within a month as the White House scrambles on weakened leverage to get her out of jail Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Cambodia on Friday. Putin has not yet agreed to the deal - and now may not rush to it At a press briefing on Thursday afternoon after Griner was sentenced, White House aide John Kirby refused to confirm the details of a negotiation or whether Bout was part of it Bout was arrested in Thailand at the request of US officials in 2008.

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History of this topic

Putin's 'Merchant of Death' is 'back in the arms trade selling weapons to Houthis' after he was freed in prisoner swap for US basketballer Brittney Griner
2 months, 2 weeks ago

Putin's 'Merchant of Death' is 'back in the arms trade selling weapons to Houthis' after he was freed in prisoner swap for US basketballer Brittney Griner

Daily Mail  

A Russian arms dealer who was freed by the United States in a prisoner swap with basketball star Brittney Griner is now back in business and selling weapons to Yemen's Houthi militants, according to reports. Bout won a seat in local government as part of a far-right pro-Kremlin Liberal Democratic Party last year Viktor Bout, sits behind bars at the …

An assassin, a Putin foe’s death, secret talks: How a sweeping US-Russia prisoner swap came together
4 months, 3 weeks ago

An assassin, a Putin foe’s death, secret talks: How a sweeping US-Russia prisoner swap came together

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — It was December 2022 and the U.S. government’s chief hostage negotiator had just delivered Brittney Griner back to America after her 10-month imprisonment in Russia. President Vladimir Putin called him a “patriot,” perhaps sensing an opportunity to signal how far Russia would go to bring home anyone who might get caught acting on the country’s behalf. Speaking about …

Russia releases US journalist and other Americans and dissidents in massive 24-person prisoner swap
4 months, 3 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 frees US reporter Evan Gershkovich in one of the biggest prisoner swaps with West
4 months, 3 weeks ago

Russia frees US reporter Evan Gershkovich in one of the biggest prisoner swaps with West

New Indian Express  

US journalist Evan Gershkovich and former US marine Paul Whelan were released from Russia Thursday, the Turkish government announced, in one of the biggest East-West prisoner swaps since the Cold War. A total of 26 people, including two minors, from the United States, Germany, Poland, Slovenia, Norway, Belarus and Russia were involved in the swap "carried out" by Turkey's MIT …

Brittney Griner reacts to prisoner swap between U.S. and Russia: ‘This is a big win, huge win’
4 months, 3 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 …

U.S.–Russia prisoner swap: What Brittney Griner’s case can tell us about Evan Gershkovich’s fate
6 months ago

U.S.–Russia prisoner swap: What Brittney Griner’s case can tell us about Evan Gershkovich’s fate

Slate  

Evan Gershkovich, the Wall Street Journal reporter held in a Moscow prison on charges of espionage for the past 15 months, will finally be tried for his alleged crime next week—meaning that if Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to free him in some sort of trade, that date too could come soon. The Biden administration formally declared Gershkovich to be …

Brittney Griner book: The shocking truth of her time in Russian prison.
7 months, 3 weeks 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 gets emotional discussing Russian detainment
1 year, 7 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, 7 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 …

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 …

Russia's 'merchant of death' to Donald Trump: Your life is in danger, come here
1 year, 8 months ago

Russia's 'merchant of death' to Donald Trump: Your life is in danger, come here

Hindustan Times  

Russia's “merchant of death”- international arms dealer Viktor Bout— offered Donald Trump asylum in Russia saying that he believes the former president's life is in danger if he remains in the United States. In an interview on a Russian state-TV channel, Viktor Bout said that he had sent a telegram to Donald Trump warning him of threat to his life …

Russia's 'merchant of death' tells Trump to flee the United States: 'Your life is in peril'
1 year, 8 months ago

Russia's 'merchant of death' tells Trump to flee the United States: 'Your life is in peril'

Raw Story  

Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, freed from a US jail last year, on Friday urged US ex-president Donald Trump to seek refuge in Russia as his life was "in peril". Bout, also known as the "Merchant of Death", was swapped for US basketball star Britney Griner in a high-profile prisoner exchange between Moscow and Washington in December. "I believe your …

US had ‘direct conversations’ with Russia on Paul Whelan since Griner’s release, State Department says
1 year, 11 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 …

Bout Says Griner Wanted to Shake His Hand, Compares Biden, Trump to Diet Pepsi, Coke Zero
2 years ago

Bout Says Griner Wanted to Shake His Hand, Compares Biden, Trump to Diet Pepsi, Coke Zero

News 18  

Arms-dealer Viktor Bout, who was part of the US-Russia prisoner swap deal and who returned to Moscow saw WNBA basketball player Brittney Griner freed, said Griner wanted to shake his hand as they were passing each other on the Abu Dhabi airport tarmac. Video of Griner – Bout swap at #UAE airbase as released by #Russia’s media pic.twitter.com/NBEphlxJPF— Joyce Karam …

Following Griner’s Release, Critics Say Enemies Know Now How to Gain Leverage over US
2 years ago

Following Griner’s Release, Critics Say Enemies Know Now How to Gain Leverage over US

News 18  

Thursday’s release of US basketball star Brittney Griner in exchange for a convicted Russian arms dealer has resurfaced an old question: Do prisoner swaps do more harm than good? Amid the celebrations following Griner’s return some critics, including members of Congress and federal law enforcement, argued such trades only encourage foreign states to target Americans to gain leverage over the …

Griner in ‘good spirits’ in US after Russian prisoner swap
2 years 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 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 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 U.S. after Russian prisoner swap
2 years 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 …

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

Who is Viktor Bout, the ‘Merchant of Death’, swapped for US basketball star Brittney Griner?
2 years ago

Who is Viktor Bout, the ‘Merchant of Death’, swapped for US basketball star Brittney Griner?

Firstpost  

Depending on whom you ask, the 55-year-old Viktor Bout is a swashbuckling businessman unjustly imprisoned after an overly aggressive US sting operation or a peddler of weapons whose sales fuelled some of the world’s worst conflicts and earned him the ‘Merchant of Death’ moniker It’s been dubbed the ‘most uneven of swaps’. Depending on whom you ask, the 55-year-old Viktor …

‘Merchant of Death’ Viktor Bout now part of a deal himself
2 years ago

‘Merchant of Death’ Viktor Bout now part of a deal himself

Associated Press  

MOSCOW — Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, who returned home Thursday in a swap for WNBA star Brittney Griner, is widely known abroad as the “Merchant of Death” who fueled some of the world’s worst conflicts. “From the resonant Bout case, a real ‘hunt’ by Americans for Russian citizens around the world has unfolded,” the government newspaper Rossiiskaya Gazeta wrote …

Griner-Bout prisoner swap: A sign of easing US-Russia tensions?
2 years 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 released in US-Russia prisoner swap for arms dealer Viktor Bout
2 years ago

Brittney Griner released in US-Russia prisoner swap for arms dealer Viktor Bout

ABC  

Russia has freed WNBA star Brittney Griner in a dramatic high-level prisoner exchange, with the US releasing Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, American officials say. Key points: US President Joe Biden had confirmed WNBA basketballer Brittney Griner is on her way to the US Griner was released by Russia in return for the US release of arms dealer Viktor Bout …

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

Why the Brittney Griner trade was a win.
2 years ago

Why the Brittney Griner trade was a win.

Slate  

Basketball star Brittney Griner’s release from a Russian prison, in exchange for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, is a better, more reasonable trade than it might seem at first glance. Bout, who has served almost half of his federal prison sentence, is the world’s most notorious international arms trafficker, known as the “Merchant of Death.” Griner was arrested in March …

Paul Whelan was left behind in Brittney Griner swap — here's why it's so hard to get him out of Russia
2 years ago

Paul Whelan was left behind in Brittney Griner swap — here's why it's so hard to get him out of Russia

Raw Story  

This week, President Joe Biden managed to broker a prisoner swap with Russia, allowing the release of basketball star Brittney Griner in exchange for Russia being handed Viktor Bout, an arms trafficker known as the "merchant of death." On Thursday's edition of MSNBC's "Morning Joe," reporter Andrea Mitchell detailed the key reason why it has been so hard for the …

Paul Whelan's brother slams his exclusion from Brittney Griner prisoner swap
2 years ago

Paul Whelan's brother slams his exclusion from Brittney Griner prisoner swap

Daily Mail  

Former US Marine Paul Whelan's family have spoken out to express their frustration that he remains in Russian prison following a prisoner swap to free WNBA star Brittney Griner. Whelan was not part of Thursday's prisoner swap, which saw Griner released from Russian prison in exchange for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, known as the 'Merchant of Death.' Former U.S. …

Brittney Griner’s career on and off the basketball court
2 years ago

Brittney Griner’s career on and off the basketball court

The Hindu  

WNBA star Brittney Griner was freed by Russia on Thursday in a dramatic high-level prisoner exchange with the US, which released notorious Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout in return. WNBA star Griner freed in prisoner swap; US releases Russian arms dealer Bout Here is a timeline of key events in Griner’s career on and off the basketball court: October 18, …

Russia frees US basketball star Brittney Griner in prisoner swap for arms dealer Viktor Bout
2 years ago

Russia frees US basketball star Brittney Griner in prisoner swap for arms dealer Viktor Bout

Raw Story  

Russia freed WNBA star Brittney Griner on Thursday in a dramatic high-level prisoner exchange, with the U.S. releasing notorious Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, American officials said. Even so, the fact that the deal was a one-for-one swap was a surprise given that U.S. officials had for months expressed their their determination to bring home both Griner and Paul Whelan, …

WNBA star Griner freed in prisoner swap; US releases Russian arms dealer Bout
2 years ago

WNBA star Griner freed in prisoner swap; US releases Russian arms dealer Bout

The Hindu  

Russia freed WNBA star Brittney Griner on Thursday in a dramatic high-level prisoner exchange, with the U.S. releasing notorious Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, American officials said. Even so, the fact that the deal was a one-for-one swap was a surprise given that U.S. officials had for months expressed their their determination to bring home both Griner and Paul Whelan, …

Russia Frees US Basketball Star Brittney Griner in Exchange for Arms Dealer Viktor Bout
2 years ago

Russia Frees US Basketball Star Brittney Griner in Exchange for Arms Dealer Viktor Bout

News 18  

US basketball player Brittney Griner was set free by Russia in a one-for-one prisoner swap for international arms dealer Viktor Bout, CBS News reported citing American officials on Thursday. pic.twitter.com/FmHgfzrcDT — President Biden December 8, 2022 Viktor Bout is a notorious arms dealer who was languishing in American prison for the last 12 years. CBS News said that Joe Biden …

Brittney Griner released in prisoner swap for Viktor Bout
2 years ago

Brittney Griner released in prisoner swap for Viktor Bout

Daily Mail  

American military veteran Paul Whelan remains in detention - Republicans called that 'unconscionable' and said the U.S. was putting 'celebrities' over veterans He was in jail for selling weapons to U.S. adversaries across the world Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman acted as mediator - two days ago a U.S. lawsuit holding him responsible for Jamal Khashoggi's murder was dropped …

Russia swaps US basketball star Brittney Griner for 'Merchant of death'
2 years ago

Russia swaps US basketball star Brittney Griner for 'Merchant of death'

The Telegraph  

Joe Biden celebrated basketball star Brittney Griner’s release on Thursday, but was criticised for handing a notorious arms dealer to Russia in return and failing to free another imprisoned American. Griner, 32, a two-time Olympic gold medallist and LGBTQ icon, was arrested in Moscow on drug charges just days before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The WNBA star said she had …

Russia frees US basketball star Brittney Griner in prisoner swap
2 years ago

Russia frees US basketball star Brittney Griner in prisoner swap

Al Jazeera  

Moscow says Griner was traded for Viktor Bout, a Russian former arms dealer convicted and jailed in the United States. Basketball star Brittney Griner has been freed from a Russian prison and is on her way home to the United States after a prisoner swap with convicted arms dealer Viktor Bout, who was serving a 25-year jail term in the …

Brittney Griner freed from Russian penal colony in high-level prisoner swap
2 years ago

Brittney Griner freed from Russian penal colony in high-level prisoner swap

LA Times  

Brittney Griner on the plane headed for Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, where the prisoner swap took place Thursday. “This is a day we’ve worked toward for a long time,” Biden said from the White House, alongside Griner’s wife, Cherelle Griner, Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken. “The Biden administration made the right decision to …

Griner’s release raises fresh concerns about fate of Paul Whelan
2 years ago

Griner’s release raises fresh concerns about fate of Paul Whelan

Al Jazeera  

As US welcomes release of basketball star Brittney Griner, calls grow to free other US citizen detained in Russia. But the release of Griner, a two-time Olympic gold medallist, in a prisoner exchange for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, who was serving a 25-year sentence in a US prison, effectively separates her fate from Whelan’s. Whelan expresses disappointment In July, …

WNBA star Brittney Griner released from Russian detention in prisoner swap for convicted arms dealer
2 years ago

WNBA star Brittney Griner released from Russian detention in prisoner swap for convicted arms dealer

CNN  

Washington CNN — WNBA star Brittney Griner has been released from Russian detention, President Joe Biden said Thursday. Asked when Griner would be home following his remarks, Biden indicated it would be in the next “24 hours.” As for what he would say to Whelan’s family, he said, “We’re speaking to them.” Cherelle Griner thanked the administration for helping secure …

WNBA star Brittney Griner released from Russia in prisoner swap for arms dealer Viktor Bout
2 years ago

WNBA star Brittney Griner released from Russia in prisoner swap for arms dealer Viktor Bout

New York Times  

After being detained for nine months, WNBA star Brittney Griner has been released from Russia and will return to the United States to be reunited with her family, President Joe Biden announced. pic.twitter.com/FmHgfzrcDT — President Biden December 8, 2022 What they’re saying Biden, who appeared with Vice President Kamala Harris and Griner’s wife, Cherelle, said it “took painstaking and intense …

WNBA star Brittney Griner has been freed from a Russian prison
2 years ago

WNBA star Brittney Griner has been freed from a Russian prison

NPR  

WNBA star Brittney Griner has been freed from a Russian prison Enlarge this image toggle caption Evgenia Novozhenina/Pool/AFP via Getty Images Evgenia Novozhenina/Pool/AFP via Getty Images President Biden says WNBA star Brittney Griner has been freed from a Russian prison. Standing along side Griner's wife, Cherelle Griner, at the White House, Biden said it was a day that "we worked …

Russian diplomat says prisoner swap with US remains possible
2 years ago

Russian diplomat says prisoner swap with US remains possible

Associated Press  

MOSCOW — Russia and the United States have repeatedly been on the verge of agreement on a prisoner exchange, a senior Russian diplomat said Tuesday, adding that a deal is still possible before the year’s end. Asked by reporters whether a swap is possible before the year’s end, Russia’s deputy foreign minister, Sergei Ryabkov, responded: “There always is a chance.” …

US basketballer Brittney Griner sent to remote Russian penal colony in Mordovia, source says
2 years, 1 month ago

US basketballer Brittney Griner sent to remote Russian penal colony in Mordovia, source says

ABC  

US basketball star Brittney Griner has been taken to a penal colony in Russia's Mordovia region, according to a Reuters source familiar with her case. Key points: Brittney Griner was arrested at a Moscow airport in February Russian authorities have given no information about where she is for nearly a fortnight The US State Department says it is in contact …

Russia signals openness to prisoner swap with US
2 years, 1 month ago

Russia signals openness to prisoner swap with US

Al Jazeera  

Deputy foreign minister says convicted Russian arms deal Viktor Bout is among those being discussed in potential swap. Russia has signalled it is open to a prisoner swap with the United States, one that would see convicted Russian arms trafficker Viktor Bout freed, as the Biden administration continues to seek the release of jailed US basketball star Brittney Griner. Ryabkov’s …

Griner has begun serving sentence in Russian penal colony
2 years, 1 month ago

Griner has begun serving sentence in Russian penal colony

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — WNBA star Brittney Griner has begun serving her nine-year sentence for drug possession at a Russian penal colony, her lawyers and agent said Thursday. Griner was transferred to a penal colony in Mordovia, about 350 kilometers east of Moscow, after a Russian court last month rejected her appeal of her sentence. The all-star center with the WNBA’s Phoenix …

Brittney Griner Begins Serving Sentence In Russian Penal Colony
2 years, 1 month ago

Brittney Griner Begins Serving Sentence In Russian Penal Colony

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING WASHINGTON — WNBA star Brittney Griner has begun serving her nine-year sentence for drug possession at a Russian penal colony, her lawyers and agent said Thursday. Griner was transferred to a penal colony in Mordovia, about 350 kilometers east of Moscow, after a Russian court last month rejected her appeal of her sentence. The all-star center with …

Griner has begun serving sentence in Russian penal colony
2 years, 1 month ago

Griner has begun serving sentence in Russian penal colony

LA Times  

WNBA star and two-time Olympic gold medalist Brittney Griner has begun serving her nine-year sentence for drug possession at a Russian penal colony, her lawyers and agent said Thursday, Nov. 17. WNBA star Brittney Griner has begun serving her nine-year sentence for drug possession at a Russian penal colony, her lawyers and agent said Thursday. Griner was transferred to a …

Russia is NOT willing to engage Brittney Griner, Paul Whelan prisoner swap, says security adviser,
2 years, 1 month ago

Russia is NOT willing to engage Brittney Griner, Paul Whelan prisoner swap, says security adviser,

Daily Mail  

Russian government officials have not shown any willingness to engage with the United States on discussions about prisoner swaps involving American basketball star Brittney Griner and former Marine Paul Whelan, both of whom are being held in the country. President Joe Biden said Wednesday that he hopes Russian President Vladimir Putin will show more willingness to negotiate on Griner and …

Griner sent to Russian penal colony to serve sentence
2 years, 1 month ago

Griner sent to Russian penal colony to serve sentence

The Hindu  

American basketball star Brittney Griner has been sent to a penal colony in Russia to serve her sentence for drug possession, her legal team said Wednesday. Griner’s legal team said she left a detention center on November 4 for a penal colony — a common type of Russian prison where detainees work for minimal pay. “Every minute that Brittney Griner …

With midterm elections over, Biden hopes Putin will negotiate for Griner’s release
2 years, 1 month ago

With midterm elections over, Biden hopes Putin will negotiate for Griner’s release

LA Times  

WNBA star Brittney Griner speaks to her lawyers while standing in a courtroom cage before a July hearing just outside Moscow. President Biden said Wednesday that he hopes Russian President Vladimir Putin will be more willing to negotiate the release of WNBA star Brittney Griner now that the U.S. midterm elections are over. The eight-time all-star center with the WNBA’s …

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