The US has urged Moscow to accept a deal to free basketball player Brittney Griner, who has been sentenced to nine years in a Russian prison. The double Olympic winner was convicted of possessing and smuggling drugs after admitting to possessing cannabis oil, reports BBC.
Griner, 31, told the court she had made an «honest mistake» and had not intended to break the law.
US media reports suggest Washington is offering a prisoner swap involving a Russian arms trafficker Viktor Bout – known as the «merchant of death» – is serving a 25 year-prison sentence in the US.
He could be transferred by Washington to the Russian authorities in exchange for Griner and former US Marine Paul Whelan.
Whelan, who has US, British, Canadian and Irish passports, was sentenced in 2020 to 16 years in jail in Russia after being convicted of spying.
Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Moscow is ready to discuss the topic.
White House national security spokesman John Kirby told reporters that the duo were being wrongfully detained and needed to be let go.
Considered one of the best female players in the world, she was detained in February at an airport near Moscow when vape cartridges containing cannabis oil were found in her luggage.
US President Joe Biden called her sentencing unacceptable”, adding: «I call on Russia to release her immediately so she can be with her wife, loved ones, friends, and teammates.»
Meanwhile Secretary of State Antony Blinken added: «Russia, and any country engaging in wrongful detention, represents a threat to the safety of everyone travelling, working and living abroad.»
Both Mr Lavrov and Mr Blinken are now in Cambodia for a meeting of the Association of South-East Asian Nations. The US says Mr Blinken will try to speak with Mr Lavrov again while they are there.