Top basketball player Brittney Griner was arrested in February. Last week, the Russian authorities moved him to a remote penal colony.
President of the United States Joe Biden said on Wednesday at a press conference that he hopes that the Russian president Vladimir Putin would be willing to have serious discussions with the United States about a possible prisoner exchange, and at the same time ensure that the American basketball star Brittney Griner would be released.
– I hope that now that the elections are over, President Putin would be able to discuss the issue with us, Biden said.
– My firm intention is to get Griner home.
A nine-year prison sentence
Russian authorities arrested 31-year-old Brittney Griner in February at the Moscow airport. Hashish oil was found in Griner’s luggage.
Griner admitted that he had hashish oil on his way, but said
this was an honest mistake. Griner added that he did not intend to bring the banned substance to Russia.
The court sentenced Griner to nine years in prison for drug possession and trafficking. In addition, he also received a fine of one million rubles, i.e. around 15,800 euros.
Last week, the basketball star was moved to a remote penal institution, and the move has sparked anger in the Biden administration. There is no information about Griner’s current whereabouts in the United States. Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine has tightened the relationship between Russia and the United States even more.
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said that the US is waiting for the next move from Russia and hopes that the US ambassador will be able to meet with Griner.
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