US President Joe Biden has backed the idea of swapping Russian Viktor Bout for US Representatives Paul Whelan and a basketball player Britney Greiner reports CNN in reference to a highly placed source in the presidential administration.
CNN sources say the decision on the plan was made after consultations and discussions that have taken place since the start of the year.
“We have flagged an important proposal that we believe could be successful based on the history of conversations with the Russian side,” the administration official told CNN.
The official declined to elaborate on the “substantial offer”. The source expressed the opinion that “the Russian court should respond, but at the same time this does not mean that we will passively monitor the development of the situation. We continue to consult and communicate at a very high level.
Russian Viktor Bout was arrested in 2008 on charges of conspiracy to kill US citizens and material support for terrorism. In 2012, a jury in New York found him guilty, the judge imposed a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison. Booth denies all the allegations. Paul Whelan is sentenced in Russia to 16 years in prison for espionage.
Greiner, an American, was arrested in February on suspicion of trying to illegally import hash oil through Sheremetyevo airport, and a criminal case was opened for drug trafficking. Greiner faces a prison sentence of 5 to 10 years. The trial continues, the next meeting is scheduled for August 2. Greiner, 31, has been a player for Russian club UMMC since 2015 and won two Olympics with the US team (2016, 2020).
Source : MatchTV
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