It is reported that in this conversation the parties discussed a possible exchange of prisoners, including American basketball player Brittney Griner, who was arrested in February this year at Sheremetyevo airport for smuggling hash oil.
“I spoke with Minister Lavrov. We had a frank and direct conversation. I insisted that the Kremlin accept our offer to release Paul Whelan and Brittney Greiner,” Blinken said, quoted by RIA Novosti.
Recall that Griner is charged under two articles of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation: drug trafficking (part 2 of article 229.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation) and their illegal transportation (part 1 of article 228 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation). Under the first article, the athlete faces from five to ten years in prison, under the second – from a fine to imprisonment for up to three years.
Recall that since 2015, Brittney Greiner has been playing for UMMC Ekaterinburg. She is a two-time Olympian and two-time World Champion with Team USA.
Source: Sport
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