Blinken: Russia must immediately free 2 detained Americans
The State Department says Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged his Russian counterpart, in a rare phone call between the diplomats since the Ukraine war, to immediately release a Wall Street Journal reporter who was detained last week as well as another imprisoned American, Paul Whelan.
โWelcome home Brittneyโ: Mayor Turner lights Houstonโs City Hall red, white and blue as Brittney Griner makes her way back to the US
There have been mixed emotions around the world about the news of Brittneyโs Grinerโs release from a Russian prison, while another U.S. citizen, Paul Whelan, remains โwrongfully detainedโ in the penal system abroad. Although bittersweet for some, local leaders are celebrating the safe return of the Houston area native.
WNBA star Brittney Griner released from Russian custody in high-profile prisoner swap between the US and Moscow
Russia freed WNBA star Brittney Grine r on Thursday in a high-profile prisoner exchange, as the U.S. released notorious Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout but failed to win freedom for another American, Paul Whelan, who has been jailed for nearly four years.
Russian parliament displays art by โMerchant of Deathโ at center of possible Brittney Griner prisoner swap
A show of prison artwork by a Russian arms trader serving 25 years in the United States and the focus of speculation about a prisoner swap that could free WBNA star Brittney Griner has opened at the upper chamber of the Russian parliament.
Venezuela swaps 7 jailed Americans for Maduro relatives
Venezuelaโs government has freed seven Americans imprisoned in the South American country in exchange for the release of two nephews of President Nicolรกs Maduroโs wife who had been jailed for years by the United States on drug smuggling convictions.
Families of WNBA star Brittney Griner, Marine veteran Paul Whelan to meet with President Biden amid US-Russia talks
President Joe Biden plans to meet at the White House on Friday with the families of WNBA star Brittney Griner and Michigan corporate security executive Paul Whelan, both of whom remain jailed in Russia.
Veteran emissary Richardson hopeful for Griner, Whelan swap
Bill Richardson, the former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and a frequent emissary in hostage negotiations, says he's hopeful about the chances of a two-for-two prisoner swap that could result in the release of WNBA star Brittney Griner and another jailed American, Paul Whelan.
WNBA's Griner tells drug trial: 'My career is my whole life'
WNBA star Brittney Griner testified at her drug possession trial in Russia that an interpreter translated only a fraction of what was said during questioning when she was detained at Moscowโs airport in February and officials told her to sign documents without giving an explanation.
WNBAโs Griner gets support at trial from character witnesses
The drug possession trial of WNBA star Brittney Griner has resumed, with the head of the Russian club she plays for in the offseason and a teammate from that squad testifying in support of her character and what she has meant for womenโs basketball in the country.
WNBAโs Griner heads back to Russian court after guilty plea
The drug possession trial of WNBA star Brittney Griner has resumed, with the head of the Russian club she plays for in the offseason and a teammate from that squad testifying in support of her character and what she has meant for womenโs basketball in the country.
Brittney Griner sends letter to President Biden pleading for his help
Brittney Grinerโs appeal to President Joe Biden in a handwritten letter continued to garner reaction Tuesday after the WNBA All-Star acknowledged she feared never returning home and asked Biden not โforget about me and the other American Detainees.โ.
Biden faces calls to secure release of US man in Afghanistan
The Biden administration must determine how to handle that commitment. Frerichs' supporters are concerned that a drawdown of military personnel from Afghanistan leaves the U.S. without the leverage it needs to demand his release. AdThe State Department is offering $5 million for information leading to Frerichs' return. We will not stop working until we secure his safe return home,โ said State Department spokesman Ned Price. โYou donโt leave Americans behind, and I just really want to make sure that heโs home safe.โAdBlinken told reporters Wednesday that the Biden administration wanted to take a detailed look at that deal, saying.
Parents of US man held in Moscow demand fair trial for son
This image provided by Joey Reed, shows Trevor Reed and his mom Paula Reed in 2014 in Arlington, Texas. The parents of Trevor Reed spoke Monday to The Associated Press as a Russian court sentenced another American man to more than a decade in prison in an unrelated espionage case. They spoke out as a Russian court sentenced another American to more than a decade in prison in an unrelated espionage case. But instead of taking him for medical care, as the family says is standard protocol in Moscow, officers drove him to the police station. We would hope that Russian law is followed and due process is used in my sons case, Joey Reed said.
Texas parents of former US Marine held in Moscow demand fair trial for son
WASHINGTON The parents of a former U.S. Marine who has been jailed for nearly a year in Moscow on charges that he endangered police officers are urging the court system and government to ensure a fair trial for their son. At the time of his arrest, Trevor Reed was in Moscow visiting his girlfriend and studying the Russian language. But instead of taking him for medical care, as the family says is standard protocol in Moscow, officers drove him to the police station. Inside the car, police say, Reed grabbed the arm of the driver and struck an officer with his elbow. We would hope that Russian law is followed and due process is used in my sons case, Joey Reed said.
Former US marine convicted of espionage is sentenced to 16 years in prison by Russian court
Former US marine Paul Whelan was convicted of espionage and sentenced to 16 years in prison, a Moscow court ruled Monday, concluding a months-long case that put additional strain to already complicated US-Russian relations. He has been in Lefortovo prison in Moscow since and the trial was held behind closed doors. Viktor Bout, a Russian arms dealer dubbed the "Merchant of Death" who was sentenced to 25 years in US federal prison in 2012, has also been mentioned. "The treatment of Paul Whelan at the hands of Russian authorities has been appalling," Pompeo said. We had hoped that the court might show some independence but, in the end, Russian judges are political, not legal, entities.