There was a prisoner exchange between the USA and Russia yesterday. US female basketball player Brittney Griner and Russian arms smuggler Viktor Bout were released at Abu Dhabi Airport. US President Joe Biden “He’s safe. He’s on the plane right now. He’s coming home right now” said. Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs “Bout returned to his homeland” made the statement. On the other hand, US ex-soldier Paul Whelan, imprisoned in Russia, reproached the US President Joe Biden administration, in an interview with CNN, “I am very disappointed that more was not done to secure my release” said.
BIDEN: HE IS SAFE
According to the news of the American press, which is based on senior US officials, Griner and Bout were released within the framework of the prisoner exchange between the USA and Russia.
US President Joe Biden also shared on his Twitter account, “I spoke on the phone with Brittney Griner a few minutes ago. She is safe. She is on the plane right now. She is coming home right now.” used the phrases.
Biden also shared a photo of the moments when he spoke with Griner on the phone. Next to Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and Griner’s wife Cherelle Griner were also seen in the Oval Office.
STATEMENT FROM RUSSIA: BOUT RETURNED TO HOME
In the statement made by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the prisoner exchange was confirmed and “Bout and Griner exchange was successfully completed on 8 December at Abu Dhabi Airport. Bout has returned to his homeland.” statements were included.
In the statement, it was stated that long-term consultations were carried out between Russia and the USA for the release of Viktor Bout.
“HE WAS UNAUTHORIZED FOR MONTHS”
On the other hand, Biden also shared the details of the operation in his speech at the White House. “After months of unjust detention in Russia, under never-tolerable circumstances, Brittney will soon be in the arms of her loved ones,” Biden said. used the phrase.
Stating that they never stopped pressing for Griner’s release, Biden thanked all American officials working for Griner’s release.
“I would also like to thank the United Arab Emirates for helping Britney return. Brittney first flew here,” Biden said. said.
Stating that Griner is in good condition and relieved to be back home, Biden also touched upon the situation of Paul Whelan, another American citizen detained in Russia.
“RUSSIA LOOKS DIFFERENTLY TO THE PAUL CASE”
“Unfortunately, for completely illegitimate reasons, Russia looks at Paul’s case differently from Brittney’s. We haven’t had Paul released yet, but we won’t give up. We will never give up. We are in close contact with Paul’s family,” Biden said. he spoke
PAUL WHELAN: I DON’T KNOW WHY I’M HERE
Paul Whelan, another US soldier imprisoned on charges of espionage in Russia following the prisoner swap between Russia and the US, reproached the US President Joe Biden administration in an interview with CNN on the phone. “I am deeply disappointed that more has not been done to secure my release, especially as the fourth anniversary of my arrest approaches. I was arrested for a crime I didn’t commit. “I don’t understand why I’m still sitting here,” he said.
Whelan said that he is pleased with the release of US female basketball player Brittney Griner, who was sentenced to 9 years in prison for possession of drugs and bringing in electronic cigarette cartridges containing drugs by the court in Russia last August, and that things are going well, governments are negotiating and very soon. He said he was convinced that something would happen. When asked if he was surprised that he was not included in the US-Russian exchange of Griner and Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, Whelan expressed surprise.
“THE TREATMENT TO ME IS DIFFERENT FROM OTHERS”
Describing his arrest as a political blackmail against the USA, Whelan stated that he was aware of the fact that he was considered in a different category from Griner. I am treated differently from another person. So even though we are both here for espionage, I am treated very differently from him and the treatment towards me is very different from those in other prisons for espionage.”
Stating that he has 12 years left until the end of his prison sentence, Whelan expressed his concern that he will not be able to return to the USA. Whelan said he hopes President Joe Biden and his administration will “do everything they can to get me home, whatever the price they have to pay at this point.”
SEEN TO 16 YEARS IMPRISONMENT
Whelan, a US, Irish, British and Canadian citizen, was detained in a hotel in the capital Moscow in December 2018 by Russian authorities for alleged involvement in an intelligence operation. Whelan was convicted in June 2020 in a lawsuit filed against him on espionage charges and was sentenced to 16 years in prison.
US officials stated that despite US negotiation efforts, Russia refused to release him.
THE ARREST OF THE US BASKETBALL PLAYER
US basketball player Brittney Griner was detained in Russia in February with drugs.
The Khimki City Court in the capital Moscow also sentenced Griner to 9 years in prison and a fine of 1 million rubles (about 16 thousand dollars).
It was alleged that Russia and the USA were holding talks on the exchange of various detainees, including Griner.
In a statement on July 27, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced that they had prepared an important proposal to Moscow for the extradition of US Paul Whelan, who was imprisoned in Russia, as well as Griner.
US President Joe Biden also called on Russia to release Griner.
WHO IS BOUT?
Known as an arms smuggler, Viktor Bout was sentenced to 25 years in prison in the United States for supplying weapons to the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).
It was claimed that the famous “God of War” movie starring US actor Nicholas Cage was based on Bout’s life story.
Source: İHA-AA-Reuters