INSIDER
An assassin, a Putin foe's death, secret talks: How a sweeping US-Russia prisoner swap came together
Read full article: An assassin, a Putin foe's death, secret talks: How a sweeping US-Russia prisoner swap came togetherThe 24-person blockbuster prison swap carried out this week required the U.S. to regroup after the unexpected death in February of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who’d been seen as a key cog in a potential exchange.
Things to know about the largest US-Russia prisoner swap in post-Soviet history
Read full article: Things to know about the largest US-Russia prisoner swap in post-Soviet historyThe U.S. and Russia completed on Thursday their largest prisoner swap in post-Soviet history, a deal involving 24 people, many months of negotiations and concessions from other European countries who released individuals in their custody as part of the exchange.
Prisoner Swap Latest: Freed Americans return to US soil and emotional welcome
Read full article: Prisoner Swap Latest: Freed Americans return to US soil and emotional welcomeThe United States and Russia have completed a 24-person prisoner swap, the largest in post-Soviet history, with Moscow releasing journalist Evan Gershkovich and fellow American Paul Whelan in a multinational deal that set some two dozen people free.
US government's top hostage negotiator defends prisoner swaps with foreign adversaries
Read full article: US government's top hostage negotiator defends prisoner swaps with foreign adversariesThe U.S. government’s top hostage negotiator is defending prisoner swaps that free Americans wrongfully detained by foreign countries in exchange for the release of convicted criminals.
Revolving door redux: The DEA's recently departed No. 2 returns to a Big Pharma consulting firm
Read full article: Revolving door redux: The DEA's recently departed No. 2 returns to a Big Pharma consulting firmWashington’s revolving door kept spinning this week as the Drug Enforcement Administration’s recently departed second-in-command returned for another stint with a high-powered consulting firm where he previously advised OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma.
Brittney Griner working on memoir about Russian captivity
Read full article: Brittney Griner working on memoir about Russian captivitySaying she is ready to share the “unfathomable” experience of being arrested and incarcerated in Russia, basketball star Brittney Griner is working on a memoir that is scheduled for spring 2024.
VIDEO: Footage reveals never before seen moments from WNBA star Brittney Griner’s time in Russian prison, Thursday’s release
Read full article: VIDEO: Footage reveals never before seen moments from WNBA star Brittney Griner’s time in Russian prison, Thursday’s releaseRussia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) released footage of the prisoner swap of WNBA basketball player Brittney Griner and arms dealer Viktor Bout between Russia and the United States on Thursday, December 8, according to Russian state media.
‘Welcome home Brittney’: Mayor Turner lights Houston’s City Hall red, white and blue as Brittney Griner makes her way back to the US
Read full article: ‘Welcome home Brittney’: Mayor Turner lights Houston’s City Hall red, white and blue as Brittney Griner makes her way back to the USThere have been mixed emotions around the world about the news of Brittney’s Griner’s release from a Russian prison, while another U.S. citizen, Paul Whelan, remains “wrongfully detained” in the penal system abroad. Although bittersweet for some, local leaders are celebrating the safe return of the Houston area native.
Russian parliament displays art by ‘Merchant of Death’ at center of possible Brittney Griner prisoner swap
Read full article: Russian parliament displays art by ‘Merchant of Death’ at center of possible Brittney Griner prisoner swapA show of prison artwork by a Russian arms trader serving 25 years in the United States and the focus of speculation about a prisoner swap that could free WBNA star Brittney Griner has opened at the upper chamber of the Russian parliament.
Biden hopes Putin will negotiate WNBA star Griner's release
Read full article: Biden hopes Putin will negotiate WNBA star Griner's releasePresident Joe Biden says he hopes Russian President Vladimir Putin will be more willing to negotiate the release of WNBA star Brittney Griner now that the U.S. midterm elections are over.
Kremlin: Any talks about Griner swap must be confidential
Read full article: Kremlin: Any talks about Griner swap must be confidentialThe Kremlin has reiterated that any discussions about a possible swap involving U.S. basketball star Brittney Griner who is serving a nine-year prison sentence in Russia for drug possession must be strictly confidential.
Brittney Griner at 'weakest moment' in Russia, her wife says
Read full article: Brittney Griner at 'weakest moment' in Russia, her wife saysWNBA star Brittney Griner is at her “absolute weakest moment in life right now” as she faces a hearing in Russia later this month for her appeal of a nine-year prison sentence for drug possession.
Families of WNBA star Brittney Griner, Marine veteran Paul Whelan to meet with President Biden amid US-Russia talks
Read full article: Families of WNBA star Brittney Griner, Marine veteran Paul Whelan to meet with President Biden amid US-Russia talksPresident Joe Biden plans to meet at the White House on Friday with the families of WNBA star Brittney Griner and Michigan corporate security executive Paul Whelan, both of whom remain jailed in Russia.
Richardson visits Moscow as Griner, Whelan remain jailed
Read full article: Richardson visits Moscow as Griner, Whelan remain jailedBill Richardson, who has worked to secure the releases of WNBA star Brittney Griner and another jailed American, Paul Whelan, visited Moscow this week and held meetings with Russian leaders.
Veteran emissary Richardson hopeful for Griner, Whelan swap
Read full article: Veteran emissary Richardson hopeful for Griner, Whelan swapBill Richardson, the former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and a frequent emissary in hostage negotiations, says he's hopeful about the chances of a two-for-two prisoner swap that could result in the release of WNBA star Brittney Griner and another jailed American, Paul Whelan.
Kremlin says Brittney Griner swap must be discussed without publicity
Read full article: Kremlin says Brittney Griner swap must be discussed without publicityThe Kremlin says it’s open to talking about a possible prisoner exchange involving American basketball star Brittney Griner but strongly warned Washington against publicizing the issue.
EXPLAINER: What will it take to get Brittney Griner home?
Read full article: EXPLAINER: What will it take to get Brittney Griner home?Now that WNBA star Brittney Griner has been convicted of drug possession and sentenced to nine years in prison, attention turns to the prospect of a prisoner swap between the United States and Russia that could get her home.
Brittney Griner's trial resumes amid intensified diplomacy
Read full article: Brittney Griner's trial resumes amid intensified diplomacySince Brittney Griner last appeared in her trial for cannabis possession, the question of her fate has expanded from a cramped courtroom on Moscow’s outskirts to the highest level of Russia-U.S. diplomacy.
Blinken, Russian top diplomat speak about Griner, Whelan
Read full article: Blinken, Russian top diplomat speak about Griner, WhelanSecretary of State Antony Blinken says he has spoken to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and urged Moscow to accept a U.S. proposal to release WNBA star Brittney Griner and another American detainee, Paul Whelan.
Russia's Lavrov says he will discuss US prisoner swap offer
Read full article: Russia's Lavrov says he will discuss US prisoner swap offerRussia's top diplomat says he’s open to a call with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken to discuss a possible prisoner swap involving American basketball star Brittney Griner.
‘No agreements have been finalized’: Kremlin poker-faced on US swap offer to free Griner, Whelan
Read full article: ‘No agreements have been finalized’: Kremlin poker-faced on US swap offer to free Griner, WhelanThe Kremlin has warned that a possible prisoner swap with the United States involving American basketball star Brittney Griner needs to be negotiated quietly without fanfare.
WNBA's Griner tells drug trial: 'My career is my whole life'
Read full article: WNBA's Griner tells drug trial: 'My career is my whole life'WNBA star Brittney Griner testified at her drug possession trial in Russia that an interpreter translated only a fraction of what was said during questioning when she was detained at Moscow’s airport in February and officials told her to sign documents without giving an explanation.
Brittney Griner’s drawn-out drug trial in Russia resumes
Read full article: Brittney Griner’s drawn-out drug trial in Russia resumesThe latest Russian court hearing in the drug trial of American basketball star Brittney Griner has focused on testimony about countries that regard cannabis as having legitimate medicinal uses.
Moscow says US must respect Russian law in Griner case
Read full article: Moscow says US must respect Russian law in Griner caseThe spokesperson for Russia’s Foreign Ministry says the United States has shown disrespect for Russian law by characterizing basketball star Brittney Griner’s jailing on drug charges as “wrongful detention.”.
WNBA’s Griner gets support at trial from character witnesses
Read full article: WNBA’s Griner gets support at trial from character witnessesThe drug possession trial of WNBA star Brittney Griner has resumed, with the head of the Russian club she plays for in the offseason and a teammate from that squad testifying in support of her character and what she has meant for women’s basketball in the country.
WNBA’s Griner heads back to Russian court after guilty plea
Read full article: WNBA’s Griner heads back to Russian court after guilty pleaThe drug possession trial of WNBA star Brittney Griner has resumed, with the head of the Russian club she plays for in the offseason and a teammate from that squad testifying in support of her character and what she has meant for women’s basketball in the country.
EXPLAINER: Is Griner's guilty plea a step toward freedom?
Read full article: EXPLAINER: Is Griner's guilty plea a step toward freedom?When Brittney Griner pleaded guilty to drug possession in a Russian court, hopes rose that her months of detention may soon be over, either through a U.S.-Russia prisoner swap or a pardon from President Vladimir Putin.
Griner’s Moscow trial resumes amid calls for US to seek deal
Read full article: Griner’s Moscow trial resumes amid calls for US to seek dealWNBA star Brittney Griner pleaded guilty to drug possession charges on the second day of her trial in a Russian court in a case that could see her sentenced to up to 10 years in prison.
US basketball star Brittney Griner due in Russian court
Read full article: US basketball star Brittney Griner due in Russian courtWNBA star Brittney Griner appeared in a court near Moscow that ordered her trial on cannabis possession charges to begin Friday, about 4 1/2 months after she was arrested at an airport while returning to play for a Russian team.
WNBA star Brittney Griner ordered to trial Friday in Russia
Read full article: WNBA star Brittney Griner ordered to trial Friday in RussiaWNBA star Brittney Griner appeared in a court near Moscow that ordered her trial on cannabis possession charges to begin Friday, about 4 1/2 months after she was arrested at an airport while returning to play for a Russian team.
WNBA star Griner's Russia detention extended for third time
Read full article: WNBA star Griner's Russia detention extended for third timeU.S. basketball star Brittney Griner will remain in Russian custody through at least July 2 after her detention was extended for a third time, Russian state-run media has reported.
Families of American captives frustrated with Justice Dept.
Read full article: Families of American captives frustrated with Justice Dept.Families of American hostages and detainees say they're frustrated with the Justice Department over what they see as the agency's refusal to consider prisoner exchanges that could get their loved ones home.