US President Joe Biden called the decision of the Russian court “inadmissible” in the case of American basketball player Brittney Griner, who was convicted of drug trafficking, and demanded his immediate release.
“This is unacceptable and I urge Russia to immediately release him so that he can be with his wife, loved ones, friends and teammates. My management will work hard and do everything possible to get Brittney and Paul Whelan home safe and sound as soon as possible. Will continue to use it.” Declaration politics.
Secretary of State Anthony Blinken described Greiner’s release as an “absolute priority” for American diplomacy. He said the court’s decision did not change the American authorities’ view of the illegality of depriving him of his liberty.
We will continue to work to bring Brittney and another wrongfully detained US citizen, Paul Whelan, back home. This is an absolute priority for me and the State Department,” Blinken promised.
The Secretary of State stressed that Washington will continue to seek “fair and transparent” treatment for all Americans detained in the Russian Federation. According to Blinken, Russian authorities and the Russian judiciary use “arbitrary detentions” to “advance their own agenda by using private individuals as pawns in a political game”.
United States Basketball Federation (US Basketball) statedNoting that he will continue to fight for the return of the American basketball player, he said, “We hope that diplomatic procedures will help him return home. We continue to support Brittney and work with the US State Department working to bring her back.”
“Catch the button”
Earlier on Thursday, White House National Security Council strategic communications coordinator John Kirby said that Blinken, currently in Cambodia, will occasionally discuss the exchange of prisoners, including Greiner, with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
At the end of the day, representatives of the Russian delegation reportedLavrov said he had contacted “everyone not hiding” in Cambodia.
“There was contact with everyone who did not hide. Sergey Viktorovich’s buttons are all intact. Lightning too,” said the diplomats.
Maria Zakharova, the official representative of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, commented on Kirby’s statement a little later. “Have you tried buying a tie? And then there are the pants, after all. A special course will need to be introduced at our Diplomatic Academy, “seizing the buttons of American diplomacy for lack of straw,” he wrote on Telegram.
“Law is law”
Roman Teryushkov, Member of the State Duma Committee on Physical Culture and Sport, said: DEA News”Greiner is no different from any other drug smuggler.
“The law is law. If you come to the territory of another country, you must respect the existing legislation. Moreover, Griner came here not to relax, but to earn money. The article provides from 5 to 10 years. Brittney is no different from other people who violate this article of the penal code, ”said Teryushkov .
“As for Biden’s immediate release, he has always stated that his administration has the most representatives of the LGBT community. We understand that their new value is black, two-foot-tall lesbians who use drugs. That’s why the entire community and Biden management came to defend Brittney Griner. To protect a person who violates the laws of the Russian Federation, ”she said.
possible swap
Greiner was detained while passing through customs control on February 17. The service dog reacted to the athlete’s belongings with poppy oil, which is banned in Russia. The ICR has filed criminal cases under clauses related to smuggling and drug possession.
“Ms. Griner’s case stood out not only because she was a star player in the WNBA, but also because her arrest took place a week before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and it looked like an impudent attempt by Moscow to take a trump card.” New York Times.
On July 27, American media reported that Washington offered to exchange Russian Viktor Bout, who is in an American prison, for Greiner and Paul Whelan, who were convicted of espionage in the Russian Federation.
Press Secretary of the President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Peskov later said that there is not yet a specific agreement between the Russian Federation and the United States on swaps.
Buta Alla’s wife stated Unable to comment on Greiner’s decision, socialbites.ca hopes to reach an agreement on the swap. You understand very well that I cannot evaluate the decision of the Russian court. I am not authorized to make such assessments. Unfortunately, I can not take the chance (for a trade – socialbites.ca). “I just hope that agreements will be reached,” he said.
Whelan is serving a 16-year sentence in a Russian prison on espionage charges.
Bout was arrested in Thailand on March 6, 2008 and extradited to the United States. The American court sentenced the Russians to 25 years in prison for illegal arms trafficking. In Russia, Bout’s accusations are considered unproven.