US basketball player Brittney Griner was detained on February 17 in Moscow, the capital of Russia. Yesterday, Griner was sentenced to 9 years in prison for possession of drugs and bringing into the country electronic cigarette cartridges containing drugs. Making a statement after the decision, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that they are ready to exchange prisoners with the United States in exchange for Griner’s release. Responding to Russia’s statement in the US, he said, “We will evaluate it.”
9 YEARS PRISON FOR GRINER
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that the Olympic medalist US female basketball player Brittney Griner, who was detained at Sheremetyevo International Airport in Moscow on February 17, was brought before the court in Himki city on charges of drug possession and drug addiction to Russia. He made important statements after being found guilty of bringing in electronic cigarette cartridges containing the substance and sentenced to 9 years in prison.
“WE ARE READY TO EXCHANGE WITH THE USA”
Stating that they are ready to exchange prisoners with the United States in return for Griner’s release, Lavrov said, “If the Americans decide to resort to diplomacy again, these steps can take place. Americans generally do not oppose such professional work. I can say that this is their job and their problem.” . Recalling that Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Joe Biden previously agreed that the prisoner exchange would take place through diplomatic channels, Lavrov said, “We are ready to discuss this issue. However, it will be within the channels that Biden and Putin have agreed upon.”
ANSWER FROM USA: WE WILL CONSIDER THIS
Criticizing Lavrov’s statement, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said, “This step sheds light on our important concerns about Russia’s legal system and the Russian government’s unjustified detentions to further its agenda by using individuals as political pawns.” Stating that they could evaluate this offer of Russia, Blinken said, “Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov said this morning that they are ready to exchange with the arrested American star. We will evaluate this.”
Source: UAV