Biden demanded the release of the American citizen from Russia
The Russian court has sentenced the American basketball player Brittany Griner to 9 years in prison and paying a fine of 16,000 dollars.
According to IRNA from Reuters, a Russian public prosecutor had asked for 9 years in prison for Griner. While admitting to carrying drugs, this American citizen declared that his work was a mistake.
US President Joe Biden said in a statement on Thursday evening local time: “Today, American citizen Brittany Greener received a prison sentence, which is a reminder of what the world already knew about; Russia has wrongfully detained Britney.
“This is unacceptable and I’m asking Russia to release him immediately so he can live with his wife, loved ones, friends and teammates,” Biden continued.
The President of the United States promised that his government will continue to try to free him and Paul Whelan, another American citizen (former American Marine).
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken also announced in a statement that Brittany Greener’s sentence aggravates the injustice of her wrongful detention.
Blinken added: “This action underscores our concerns about the Russian judicial system and the use of illegal detentions by the Russian government to advance its political goals.”
He added: “Brittany Greiner has been wrongfully detained and we will continue our efforts to bring Brittney and Paul Whelan, another American citizen, back home.”
The US Secretary of State claimed: Russia and any country that uses illegal detention is a threat to the safety of all people who travel, work and live outside the US. America is against this practice everywhere.
According to IRNA, the United States has asked Russia to release two of its citizens, Britney Greener and Paul Whelan, a former American Marine, so that Washington will release the Russian citizen Victor Bout.
Talks between Russia and the United States in this regard have started since June, and Moscow does not want to agree to an agreement that it considers unequal, and has requested that information on confidential matters not be published.
Foreign Secretary Anthony Blinken said last Wednesday that the U.S. made a significant offer to Russia weeks ago, and that he had a phone call with his counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, on Friday.
The Russian Foreign Ministry later announced in a statement: “It strongly recommends that the two sides return to professional talks within the framework of calm diplomacy and without any dubious media hype.”
Informed sources say that the reason why Blinken contacted Lavrov is that Moscow has not yet accepted or even responded to this written offer.
Griner’s case has attracted a lot of attention in the United States, and polls show that if Biden is unable to arrange a deal for his release, there is a risk of increasing problems for the Democrats in the midterm elections in November.
A Russian official said Russia would only agree to a one-for-one swap involving Greiner and Boot or a two-for-two swap. Russians believe that a two-for-one deal is not acceptable. Of course, Maria Zakharova, the spokesperson of the Russian Foreign Ministry, refused to comment on this matter.
According to IRNA, the United States has asked Russia to release two of its citizens, Britney Greener and Paul Whelan, a former American Marine, so that Washington will release the Russian citizen Victor Bout.
Talks between Russia and the United States in this regard have started since June, and Moscow does not want to agree to an agreement that it considers unequal, and has requested that information on confidential matters not be published.
Foreign Secretary Anthony Blinken said last Wednesday that the U.S. made a significant offer to Russia weeks ago, and that he had a phone call with his counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, on Friday.
The Russian Foreign Ministry later announced in a statement: “It strongly recommends that the two sides return to professional talks within the framework of calm diplomacy and without any dubious media hype.”
Informed sources say that the reason why Blinken contacted Lavrov is that Moscow has not yet accepted or even responded to this written offer.
Griner’s case has attracted a lot of attention in the United States, and polls show that if Biden is unable to arrange a deal for his release, there is a risk of increasing problems for the Democrats in the midterm elections in November.
A Russian official said Russia would only agree to a one-for-one swap involving Greiner and Boot or a two-for-two swap. Russians believe that a two-for-one deal is not acceptable. Of course, Maria Zakharova, the spokesperson of the Russian Foreign Ministry, refused to comment on this matter.