“It’s a day we’ve been waiting for for a long time, after difficult negotiations and I want to thank the administration’s tireless work,” Biden said.
American professional basketball player Brittney Griner, who was arrested in Russia last February on drug trafficking charges, has finally been released in a prisoner exchange between Moscow and Washington, which has in turn released Viktor Bout, who was arrested in the US for arms trafficking. «As a result of the efforts made, it was possible to reach an agreement with the American side on the organization of the exchange of Bout for Griner. The Russian citizen has been returned to his homeland,” the Russian foreign ministry told TASS news agency.
For his part, US President Joe Biden has also confirmed the return of his citizen. Griner is “safe” and returned to his country after spending “unbearable conditions” in Russian prison, the president said at a press conference, declaring that “it is a day we have been waiting for for a long time, after hard efforts” . negotiations and I would like to thank the tireless work of the administration.
The player “is in good health, but has lost months of his life due to unnecessary trauma,” said Biden, who praised the “dignity” the athlete displayed during the trial. Griner was sentenced to nine years in prison after Russian authorities found cannabis oil during a search at Moscow airport last February.
During the press conference, Biden also wanted to address another citizen, who is imprisoned on Russian territory for espionage. It’s about ex-Marine Paul Whelan. “We have not forgotten him, unjustly detained in Russia for years. We will not give up, we never will, and we will continue to negotiate in good faith,” he assured the family of the affected person.
Source: La Verdad
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