Brittney Griner, an American basketball player arrested in Russia for possession in February, was released Dec. 8.
Griner, who was arrested in Russia for possessing a hash oil pen in February, was released back to the United States, Al Jazeera reported. Her release was arranged in a trade deal for arms dealer Viktor Bout, also known as the “Merchant of Death,” whose clients have included the Taliban and the U.S. government, African warlords and the UN, The Guardian reported in 2008.
“After months of wrongful detention in Russia, Brittney Griner is on her way home to her wife Cherelle and her other loved ones. We will not cease in our efforts until Paul Whelan is back with his family, too,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a post on Twitter.
Blinken said Paul Whelan and his family continue to suffer needlessly while Griner’s release was being celebrated, according to a State Department news release. He said, despite U.S. efforts, the Russian government has not agreed to end his wrongful detention.
Brittany's exchange leaves behind Whelan, an ex-US Marine arrested in Russia and accused of spying Dec. 28, 2018. Whelan, sentenced to 16 years in jail, was caught with a computer flash drive containing classified information, Reuters reported. During the trial, Whelan called on the U.S., Britain, Canada and Ireland to take “decisive action.” Whelan holds dual citizenship in multiple countries.
“I wholeheartedly wish we could have brought Paul home today on the same plane with Brittney. Nevertheless, we will not relent in our efforts to bring Paul and all other U.S. nationals held hostage or wrongfully detained abroad home to their loved ones where they belong,” he said, according to the State Department news release.
