Brittney Griner again on US soil after spending 294 days in Russian jail
Brittney Griner has landed back on US soil for the first time in 10 months after she was released from Russian custody in a prisoner swap with “Merchant of Death” Viktor Bout.
The WNBA star arrived at the Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio early on Friday morning, the place she will likely be examined and obtain any needed medical remedy.
Footage confirmed Ms Griner and Bout being exchanged on the tarmac of a runway in the UAE on Thursday, following weeks of negotiations between Washington and Moscow.
The deal failed to incorporate US Marine Paul Whelan who has been detained in Russia for the final 4 years. Mr Whelan advised CNN he was “greatly disappointed” to be taught he was not a part of the prisoner swap, saying: “I don’t understand why I’m still sitting here.”
President Joe Biden insisted on Thursday that “we’ve not forgotten about Paul Whelan” and vowed to “never give up” securing his launch, because the swap divided opinion throughout the nation. The White House was additionally pressured to disclaim claims made by Saudi Arabia and the UAE that MBS negotiated the deal.
White House press secretary says Brittney Griner reunited with spouse, seems to be in good well being
Former WNBA star Brittney Griner has been reunited along with her spouse, Cherelle, based on White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.
Griner returned to the US on Friday after she was released from Russian custody because of a prisoner swap negotiated by US officers. International arms supplier Viktor Bout was released from US custody in the trade.
Ms Jean-Pierre mentioned Griner was in “very good spirits” upon her return, and appeared “to be in good health.”
Graig Graziosi9 December 2022 19:52
Brittney Griner reduce her hair whereas locked up in Russia as a result of her locks have been freezing
Former WNBA star Brittney Griner, who was released from Russian custody this week because of a prisoner swap deal the US made the Russia, reportedly reduce her hair quick whereas imprisoned as a result of it was freezing on her head.
Maria Blagovolina, one in every of Griner’s attorneys, advised ESPN that Griner reduce her hair roughly two weeks in the past after it started freezing because of the chilly Russian winter.
“It’s very cold in there and every time she washed her hair she got cold and would get a chill,” Ms Blagovolina mentioned. “She should have waited until New Year’s Day.”
Graig Graziosi9 December 2022 19:31
Russians didn’t negotiate ‘in good faith’ for Paul Whelan, White House press secretary says
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre advised reporters on Friday that Russia was not prepared to have interaction in “good faith” negotiations to free Paul Whelan, an American man who has been imprisoned in the nation since 2018. US officers tried to incorporate Mr Whelan in a prisoner swap deal they made to free former WNBA star Brittney Griner, however a deal couldn’t be reached.
“In the past week or two, we saw that the Russians were willing to release Brittney Griner for Mr Bout. That’s what was presented to us. They were not willing to negotiate in good faith for Paul Whelan.”
Graig Graziosi9 December 2022 19:03
Russia provided up Paul Whelan as a part of Brittney Griner trade, however requested for spy serving life sentence for homicide
US officers talking with CNN advised the outlet that Russia did supply Paul Whelan as a part of the prisoner swap deal that freed former WNBA star Brittney Griner, however provided that a Russian spy serving a life sentence in Germany for homicide was released together with the “Merchant of Death” Viktor Bout.
The US inquired with Germany about probably releasing Vadim Krasikov, the Russian spy who was convicted for homicide. The US was unable to barter for the Russian’s launch. However, based on officers, the US did supply up different imprisoned Russians in an effort to free Mr Whelan, however these presents have been rejected by Russia.
Graig Graziosi9 December 2022 18:46
Tucker Carlson makes baseless declare that Biden selected to rescue Griner and never Paul Whelan because of identification politics
During a broadcast on Fox News, host Tucker Carlson claimed, with out proof, that NBC News scrubbed a report it released that originally mentioned Russia had given the US the choice to launch both Brittney Griner or Paul Whelan. He claims the community did this at the behest of the Biden administration, once more and not using a shred of proof.
“Why did they make that choice? You should know that Whalen is a Trump voter and he made the mistake of saying so on social media, and he’s paying the price for that now,” Carlson mentioned. “Brittany Griner is not. She has very different politics.”
According to Carlson, Griner was chosen as a result of Mr Whelan is a Trump voter and Griner is Black, a girl, and a lesbian.
Russia — which has no incentive to guard Joe Biden’s picture — has not issued any assertion undermining the White House’s declare that Mr Whelan was by no means on the desk for a doable prisoner swap.
Graig Graziosi9 December 2022 17:57
Steph Curry’s full Brittney Griner message throughout SI Sportsperson of the Year awards
NBA star Steph Curry received Sports Illustrated’s Sportsperson of the Year award throughout a ceremony on Thursday, and through his acceptance speech addressed the discharge of former WNBA star Brittney Griner.
Mr Curry was a significant advocate for Griner whereas she was in jail.
“We are glad she’s home, we’re glad she’s reunited with her family,” Mr Curry mentioned. “It’s a constant reminder for everybody continuing to use their platforms to speak on issues that are meaningful and can move the needle. Thank you to President Biden’s administration for being a part of that fight. But, it’s also a reminder that we all need to stay engaged in the fight to protect American citizens at home and abroad who are wrongfully detained, and we can continue to be engaged in that fight. BG, we love you. We thank you for your sacrifice and your continued perseverance and patience to get through this process, and hope you enjoy reuniting with your family. We are always with you, BG.”
Graig Graziosi9 December 2022 17:25
‘Merchant of Death’ Viktor Bout says the West desires Russia to crumble
Viktor Bout, a infamous arms supplier, was released this week in a prisoner exchange between the US and Russia for former WNBA star Brittney Griner. After his launch he shared his views about his captors with Russian media, based on the Associated Press.
“The West believes that it has failed to finish us off when the Soviet Union began to collapse,” Bout mentioned. “And our efforts to live independently, be an independent power is a shock to them.”
Russian state media hailed Bout’s return.
“Everyone will forget about Griner tomorrow,” Yevgeny Popov, a Russian state media host, wrote on Telegram on Thursday. “Bout’s life is only beginning.”
Graig Graziosi9 December 2022 16:46
Russian President Vladimir Putin advised reporters on Friday in the wake of Brittney Griner’s launch that extra prisoner swaps with the US could also be doable in the long run.
According to the Associated Press, Mr Putin mentioned that “everything is possible” when requested if there could also be extra prisoner exchanges in the long run.
“We aren’t refusing to continue this work in the future,” he mentioned.
It’s unclear what that will imply in for Paul Whelan, an American who has been locked up in Russia since 2018. The White House pushed for his launch alongside Griner’s, however reviews point out Russia was not prepared to launch Mr Whelan.
Joe Biden mentioned he would “never give up” making an attempt to safe Mr Whelan’s launch.
Read extra in the Independent Premium story under…
Graig Graziosi9 December 2022 16:20
Pentagon admits it has ‘concerns’ over launch of ‘Merchant of Death’
An unnamed Pentagon official mentioned there are some considerations inside the protection company concerning the discharge of Viktor Bout, the “Merchant of Death” arms supplier, again into the world.
Bout was freed by the US as a part of a prisoner swap to safe the discharge of Brittney Griner.
“I think there is a concern that he would return to doing the same kind of work that he’s done in the past,” an unnamed Defense Department official advised Politico.
Read extra at The Independent under.
Graig Graziosi9 December 2022 15:56
Putin says future prisoners swaps doable
Russian President Vladimir Putin advised reporters on Friday in the wake of Brittney Griner’s launch that extra prisoner swaps with the US could also be doable in the long run.
According to the Associated Press, Mr Putin mentioned that “everything is possible” when requested if there could also be extra prisoner exchanges in the long run.
“We aren’t refusing to continue this work in the future,” he mentioned.
It’s unclear what that will imply in for Paul Whelan, an American who has been locked up in Russia since 2018. The White House pushed for his launch alongside Griner’s, however reviews point out Russia was not prepared to launch Mr Whelan.
Joe Biden mentioned he would “never give up” making an attempt to safe Mr Whelan’s launch.
Graig Graziosi9 December 2022 15:32
