Russia Delivers a ?Merchant of Death? Blow as Brittney Griner Supporters Sharpen Pitch

The White House has doubled down on its efforts to secure the release of Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan. WNBA star Griner is in exile in Russia for almost nine months. Meanwhile, US marine Whelan has been imprisoned for over three years. The State Department has raised its pitch in order to get a response from the Kremlin. The White House had made a prisoner swap offer months ago, but Russia has failed to respond with anything substantial yet. Recently, the State Department’s spokesperson Ned Price talked about the lack of constructive approach from Russia, as Griner’s supporters continue to speak up.

The White House recently gave out a statement. Ned Price said that the Russian authorities have not showcased the seriousness of purpose in the prisoner swap negotiations as they would like. He reiterated that the State Department offered a substantial proposal to the Kremlin. The Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced a potential deal months ago to secure the release of Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan.

The Biden Administration offered to release convicted Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout in exchange for Griner and Whelan. Bout infamously goes by the name ‘Merchant of Death’. He is currently serving a 25-year sentence in the US.

White House looks for ways to free Brittney Griner

Price reckoned that the detainment of BG and Whelan was proof that the negotiations have not moved as quickly as they would have liked. He stated that the discussions with the Russians have continued since the Biden Administration offered a substantial proposal.

“Well, the fact is and what the president was alluding to, is the fact that the Russians up until now have not engaged with the seriousness of purpose in the constructive approach that we would have liked to have seen,” he stated.

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The also spokesperson pointed out that the process had not been static from their end. Price added, “We’re continuing to look for ways that we can secure as quickly as possible the release of Paul Whelan and Brittney Griner, so that they can be returned to their loved ones here in the United States.”

Griner’s new abode should worry supporters

According to Price, Moscow also failed to inform Washington about the removal of Brittney Griner to a penal colony recently. Moreover, the location and the conditions of Griner’s new detention facility is a complete mystery for the U.S. authorities.

Griner finds herself in the toughest of situations right now. She was transferred to a penal colony recently after a Russian court denied her appeal for leniency. Griner was sentenced to nine years in prison under smuggling and possession charges after vape cartridges filled with cannabis oil were found in her luggage at a Moscow Airport in February.

Currently, neither Griner’s attorneys nor the US diplomats concerned with her situation are aware of her whereabouts. However, her lawyers expect to be updated on her location once she arrives at the designated Russian penal colony.

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Thus, the State Department is working constantly to make sure Griner would not have to spend a lot of time in a penal colony. Hopefully, the Russian authorities will respond to the prisoner swap offer positively soon, now that the midterm elections are over.