National Newswatch: Canada's most comprehensive site for political news and views. Make it a daily habit.
Biden’s authorization to release Bout, the Russian felon once nicknamed “the Merchant of Death,” underscored the heightened urgency that his administration faced to get Griner home, particularly after the recent resolution of her criminal case on drug charges and her subsequent transfer to a penal colony.and Phoenix Mercury pro basketball star, was seen getting off a plane that landed Friday at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland in Texas.
The WNBA star, who also played pro basketball in Russia, was arrested at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport in February after Russian authorities said she was carrying vape canisters with cannabis oil. The U.S. State Department declared Griner to be “wrongfully detained” — a charge that Russia has sharply rejected.
She acknowledged in court that she possessed canisters with cannabis oil but said she had no criminal intent and accidentally packed them. Her defense team presented written statements that she had been prescribed cannabis to treat pain. Biden spoke by phone with Griner. U.S. officials said she would be offered specialized medical services and counseling.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Russia frees WNBA star Brittney Griner in high-level prisoner exchange with U.S.U.S. is releasing notorious Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, American officials said, in exchange for Griner, who has been held by Russian officials since February.
Read more »
WNBA star Brittney Griner released from Russian detention in prisoner swap for convicted arms dealerWNBA star Brittney Griner has been released from Russian detention in a prisoner swap for convicted Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, according to a source familiar with the matter.
Read more »
Brittney Griner released; Canadian-born Paul Whelan left out of Russia-U.S. prisoner swapRussia freed WNBA star Brittney Griner on Thursday in a dramatic high-level prisoner exchange, with the U.S. releasing notorious Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, American and Russian officials said. The swap, at a time of heightened tensions over Ukraine, achieved a top goal for U.S. President Joe Biden, but carried a heavy price -- and left behind an American jailed for nearly four years in Russia.
Read more »
Brittney Griner being freed from Russia in prisoner exchange, U.S. says | CBC NewsRussia freed WNBA star Brittney Griner on Thursday in a dramatic high-level prisoner exchange, with the U.S. releasing notorious Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, American officials said.
Read more »
U.S. basketball star Brittney Griner released from Russian custody in prisoner swapU.S. basketball star Brittney Griner has been released in a prisoner swap with Russia and is now in U.S. custody, President Joe Biden said.
Read more »
Brittney Griner for Viktor Bout: WNBA star freed in U.S.-Russia prisoner swapThe Russian foreign ministry said it traded Griner for Russian citizen Viktor Bout, a former arms dealer
Read more »