Reports indicate that such an exchange could free Paul Whelan and Brittney Griner in exchange for a Russian arms dealer.
The US has put a “significant proposal on the table” to facilitate the release of US citizens Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan, both of whom are held by Russia in what the US calls “wrongful detention”, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said.
Blinken said Wednesday that he looks forward to speaking with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in the coming days to discuss the “top priority” for the United States: the release of Griner, a basketball star; and Whelan, a former sailor.
“We put an important proposal on the table a few weeks ago to facilitate their release. Our governments have communicated several times and directly about that proposal, and I will use the chat for personal follow-up and, I hope, lead us to a solution,” Blinken said. with reporters.
“My hope is that by talking to Foreign Minister Lavrov, I can accelerate efforts to bring them home,” he said. Blinken speak.
“Of course we would like to see those who are wrongly detained freed and able to return home. At the same time, it is important that we are able to enforce a global standard against these arbitrary arrests.”
As CNN reports, the US offered Viktor Bout, a Russian arms dealer known as the “Trader of Death”, who was sentenced to 25 years in prison by the US in 2012, in exchange for his release. due to Whelan and Griner.
The potential deal is the latest development in an ongoing US effort to free Griner and Whelan, who the US accuses of being wrongly detained by Russia as tensions mount Tensions after Russia Invasion of Ukraine in February.
Grinder jailed in mid-February and was charged with bringing drugs into Russia after authorities found a vape container containing cannabis oil in her luggage at Moscow airport. For his part, Whelan was arrested in December 2018 and charged with espionage. He was found guilty and sentenced to 16 years in prison.
The United States has stated that both Whelan and Griner are being held illegally, and has worked to secure their release.
Griner is currently trying it out and testified before Khimki . District Court outside Moscow on Wednesday, claiming that her rights were not read to her while she was detained at Moscow airport.
Griner, 31, said she was asked to sign documents without any explanation and that a language interpreter only relayed part of her detailed answers during the interrogation after She was arrested at the airport.
The WNBA All-Star previously admitted that she brought a vape box containing cannabis oil into the country, noting that she had been given permission by her doctor to use them for an injury and unintentionally packed them in her suitcase. mine. If that argument fails to convince Russian officials, she could face up to 10 years in prison. In letter With Biden, Griner said she was “extremely scared” and urged him to release her.
Six trials have been held since Griner test begins on July 1, and Russia extended her detention until mid-December.
Russian officials have expressed displeasure with US claims that the Russian justice system is unfair and that Griner and Whelan are “improperly detained” and have dismissed suggestions that the Griner’s detention is politically motivated.
Tensions between the US and Russia, which have long been strained, have worsened since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine in February. America accused Russia War Crimesand has sought to aid Ukraine with billions of dollars in arms shipments and sanctions that have devastated the Russian economy.
“What the world has heard recently from Russia’s leaders is raising new alarms,” Blinken said in his speech Wednesday.
“Last week, Foreign Minister Lavrov said that the goals of the Kremlin in Ukraine have been expanded. Now they seek to claim more Ukrainian territory beyond Donbas. This is the latest in a growing series of justifications and ever-changing goals.”
