Russian state television mocks U.S. for Brittney Griner prisoner exchange

[2tallbill]

Russian state television mocks U.S. for Brittney Griner prisoner exchange
WNBA player Brittney Griner was released by Russian authorities Thursday morning after spending nearly 10 months in a Russian prison following a February arrest for bringing vape cartridges containing hashish oil through a Moscow airport.

Griner was released from a Russian penal colony Thursday in exchange for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout.

While Griner was released, another U.S. citizen remains in Russia — former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan.

Whelan was sentenced in 2020 to 16 years in a Russian prison on alleged espionage charges.

His absence from the deal did not go unnoticed.
http://www.foxnews.com/sports/russia-state-television-mocks-u-s-for-brittney-griner-prisoner-exchange

Russian Viktor Bout returns home after being swapped for US Brittney Griner — MFA

"As a result of the efforts made, we managed to agree with the American side to arrange
an exchange of Viktor Bout for Brittney Griner. The Russian citizen has been returned to
his homeland," the ministry said
http://tass.com/politics/1547827




U.S. Basketball Star Griner Back Home After Russia Prisoner Swap
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/2022/12/09/us-basketball-star-griner-back-home-after-russia-prisoner-swap-a79649


Brittney Griner lands in US after prisoner swap with Russia
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-63911944

[2tallbill]

What to Know About Paul Whelan, the Marine Veteran Left Out of the Brittney Griner Prisoner Swap
Americans celebrate a deal between Russia and the U.S. which secured athlete
Brittney Griner’s release, the family of another prisoner in Russia remains
concerned.

Paul Whelan, a 52-year-old former resident of Michigan, was first detained
in December 2018 by Russian authorities and imprisoned on espionage
charges. He remains in prison despite American efforts to free him.
http://time.com/6239757/paul-whelan-still-imprisoned-brittney-griner/


Russia demanded that a spy held in Germany be freed in exchange for Paul Whelan

CNN
 —
Russia refused to release Paul Whelan alongside Brittney Griner unless a former colonel
from Russia’s domestic spy organization currently in German custody was also released
as part of any prisoner swap, US officials told CNN, even as the US offered up the names
of several other Russian prisoners in US custody that they would be willing to trade.

The US was unable to deliver on the request for the ex-colonel, Vadim Krasikov, because
he is serving out a life sentence for murder in Germany.
http://www.cnn.com/2022/12/09/politics/russia-paul-whelan-vadim-krasikov-germany/index.html