Article Author:
Reuters
Russia's foreign ministry said on Thursday it was conducting "quiet diplomacy" with the United States over a possible prisoner exchange involving basketball star Britney Griner.
Griner, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) star, was sentenced to nine years in prison in Russia on Aug. 4 on drug charges. I was. unacceptable.
"Quiet diplomacy is underway, and if Washington complies, it should bear fruit and not fall prey to media hype propaganda to score points before the election." dear,” said Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ivan Nechaev, referring to the US midterm elections in November.
Earlier, the Kremlin said US officials were undermining efforts to secure a prisoner exchange by resorting to "megaphone diplomacy" on the matter.
Washington has offered to trade Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout for Griner and former Marine Paul Whelan, a source familiar with the situation told Reuters.
Whelan, who holds US, UK, Canadian and Irish passports, was convicted of spying in 2020 and sentenced to 16 years in prison. he denied the charges.
Griner, who was prescribed medical cannabis to relieve pain from chronic injuries in the United States, dropped e-cigarette cartridges containing hash oil in his luggage at Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport on February 17. was put in and arrested.
Cannabis is illegal in Russia for both medical and recreational purposes.
Greiner, who pleaded guilty, said he made the honest mistake of accidentally stuffing an e-cigarette cartridge while rushing to catch a plane to Russia. rice field. (Reporting edited by Reuters by Mark Heinrich and Nick Macfie)
