Brittney Griner released from Russian prison, but wife Cherelle says they will still fright for Paul Whelan.
In the midst of Griner’s release the brother of Paul Whelan spoke out. He stated, he spoke with Biden the other day about getting his brother home. But he isn’t sure what his future holds.
“We feel wonderful for them, but we do worry about what’s in Paul’s future I think it’s become clear that the us doesn’t have any concessions that the Russian government wants for Paul and so I’m not really sure I’m not really sure what the future holds.”
The Biden administration considers Mr. Whelan tantamount to a political hostage, a view that it also held of Ms. Griner.
“We have not forgotten about Paul Whelan, who has been unjustly detained in Russia for years,” Mr. Biden told reporters at the White House on Thursday. “We’ll keep negotiating in good faith for Paul’s release. I guarantee that. I say that to the family.”
Griner was freed from a Russian penal colony on Thursday in a prisoner exchange for convicted Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, a U.S. official confirmed to Fox News.
U.S. and Russian officials have expressed optimism in recent weeks about a potential deal for Griner. A top Russian official said last week that a deal was possible before year’s end.
Griner was arrested at Sheremetyevo Airport in Moscow on Feb. 17.
Russian authorities obtained vape cartridges with cannabis oil inside her luggage. On Aug. 4, Griner was given a nine-year sentence after pleading guilty. However, she had been prescribed cannabis for her pain and inadvertently packed it. Her sentence was upheld in October, and she was later transferred to a penal colony.
Griner will return to the U.S due to swap with Bout. Bout’s referred name, “Merchant of Death” was in the middle of a 25-year sentence in federal prison. He was convicted of conspiracy to kill Americans relating to the support of a Colombian terrorist organization.
He was dubbed the “Merchant of Death” because of his notoriety for running a fleet of aging Soviet-era cargo planes to conflict-ridden hotspots in Africa. His dealings inspired the Nicolas Cage film “Lord of War.”
Brittney Griner Released From Russian Prison
