Biden willing to go to any lengths to bring home US nationals imprisoned in Russia
It is reported that the US basketball player Brittney Griner was arrested in Russia earlier in the year on charges of attempting to smuggle drugs into the country
US President Joe Biden is ready to go to great lengths to bring home all US nationals being held in custody in Russia, White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said in a statement released on Tuesday.
Earlier in the day, a Moscow regional court upheld a lower court’s ruling to sentence Griner to nine years behind bars after she was found guilty of drug smuggling.
“We are aware of the news out of Russia that Brittney Griner will continue to be wrongfully detained under intolerable circumstances after having to undergo another sham judicial proceeding today,” the statement reads.
“In recent weeks, the Biden-[Vice President Kamala] Harris Administration has continued to engage with Russia through every available channel and make every effort to bring home Brittney [Griner] as well as to support and advocate for other Americans detained in Russia, including fellow wrongful detainee Paul Whelan,” according to the statement.
“The President has demonstrated that he is willing to go to extraordinary lengths and make tough decisions to bring Americans home, as his Administration has successfully done previously from countries around the world.”
“The Administration remains in regular touch with representatives of the families, and we continue to admire their courage in the face of these unimaginable circumstances,” the statement added.
US basketball player Brittney Griner was arrested in Russia earlier in the year on charges of attempting to smuggle drugs into the country. She flew to Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport from New York, where upon arrival, two cartridges with cannabis oil were found in her luggage during baggage inspection.
According to an expert review, the substance was cannabis oil, which qualifies as a narcotic substance.
US national Paul Whelan is convicted in Russia for spying. On December 28, 2018, Whelan, who holds US, UK, Canadian and Irish citizenship, was detained by Russia’s Federal Security Service in a room of Moscow’s Metropol Hotel while on a spy mission.
The FSB opened a criminal case against him on charges of espionage under Article 276 of the Russian Criminal Code. The Moscow City Court found Whelan guilty of spying against Russia and sentenced him to 16 years in a high security colony.
