US basketball star Brittney Griner, convicted on drug possession charges in Moscow, has been detained in Russia for more than 200 days. EPA
US basketball star Brittney Griner, convicted on drug possession charges in Moscow, has been detained in Russia for more than 200 days. EPA
US basketball star Brittney Griner, convicted on drug possession charges in Moscow, has been detained in Russia for more than 200 days. EPA
US basketball star Brittney Griner, convicted on drug possession charges in Moscow, has been detained in Russia for more than 200 days. EPA

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US

US envoy visits Moscow as Griner and Whelan remain detained

Moscow spokesman says there were no meetings at the Kremlin

The National

September 14, 2022

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Bill Richardson, former US ambassador to the UN and a frequent hostage negotiator who has worked on the cases of American detainees Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan, visited Moscow this week, US media outlets have said.

The reported visit comes as US officials continue to push for the release of Griner, the basketball star who was sentenced last month to nine years in prison on a drug possession conviction. Griner has been detained in Russia for more than 200 days since being arrested at a Moscow airport in February.

The US has also pressed for the release of Paul Whelan, a former US Marine serving a 16-year sentence on espionage charges.

Washington has classified both Americans as wrongfully detained by Russia.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in July that the US made a “substantial proposal” to Russia to facilitate a prisoner exchange. As part of that deal, Washington reportedly would release convicted arms trader Viktor Bout.

Mr Richardson expressed hope for a two-for-two swap in an interview with the Associated Press last month.

This combination photo shows convicted arms dealer Viktor Bout, US basketball star Brittney Griner and former US Marine Paul Whelan. AFP
This combination photo shows convicted arms dealer Viktor Bout, US basketball star Brittney Griner and former US Marine Paul Whelan. AFP

The Kremlin on Wednesday said it had no comment on Mr Richardson's reported visit.

“There were no meetings at the Kremlin,” spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on a conference call. “I have nothing to tell you on this subject.”

Moscow last month said it was engaged in “quiet diplomacy” with Washington about a potential prisoner swap.

CNN first reported on Tuesday that Mr Richardson, who also previously served as governor to the US state of New Mexico, travelled to Moscow to hold talks with Russian officials.

Phoenix Mercury centre Brittney Griner during the first half of Game 2 of the WNBA Finals against the Chicago Sky. AP
Phoenix Mercury centre Brittney Griner during the first half of Game 2 of the WNBA Finals against the Chicago Sky. AP
Griner, a two-time Olympic gold medallist and WNBA champion, was detained at Moscow airport in February on charges of carrying in her luggage vape cartridges with cannabis oil. AFP
Griner, a two-time Olympic gold medallist and WNBA champion, was detained at Moscow airport in February on charges of carrying in her luggage vape cartridges with cannabis oil. AFP
Griner leaving a courtroom after a hearing in May. The Phoenix Mercury star, considered in some polls to be the US’s most gifted female athlete, could face 10 years in prison if convicted on charges of large-scale transportation of drugs. AP
Griner leaving a courtroom after a hearing in May. The Phoenix Mercury star, considered in some polls to be the US’s most gifted female athlete, could face 10 years in prison if convicted on charges of large-scale transportation of drugs. AP
Griner asked US President Joe Biden to free her from a Russian prison in a handwritten letter on July 4, 2022, portions of which were made public by her family. AFP
Griner asked US President Joe Biden to free her from a Russian prison in a handwritten letter on July 4, 2022, portions of which were made public by her family. AFP
Grineris escorted before a court hearing in Khimki outside Moscow, Russia on July 1, 2022. Reuters
Grineris escorted before a court hearing in Khimki outside Moscow, Russia on July 1, 2022. Reuters
The US stepped up its push in March for consular access to Griner, who is detained in Russia on allegations of drug smuggling. AP
The US stepped up its push in March for consular access to Griner, who is detained in Russia on allegations of drug smuggling. AP
Griner at the White House alongside teammates. Photo: US National Archives
Griner at the White House alongside teammates. Photo: US National Archives
Brittney Griner of the Phoenix Mercury celebrates with fans. Getty Images North America / AFP
Brittney Griner of the Phoenix Mercury celebrates with fans. Getty Images North America / AFP
A man holds a sign for Brittney Griner Home during the first half of the WNBA game between the Chicago Sky and Phoenix Mercury at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. EPA
A man holds a sign for Brittney Griner Home during the first half of the WNBA game between the Chicago Sky and Phoenix Mercury at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. EPA
Griner, a player of the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury team was arrested in February at Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport after some hash oil was detected and found in her luggage, for which she now could face a prison sentence of up to ten years. EPA
Griner, a player of the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury team was arrested in February at Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport after some hash oil was detected and found in her luggage, for which she now could face a prison sentence of up to ten years. EPA
Fans hold signs Griner during the first half of the WNBA game between the Chicago Sky and Phoenix Mercury at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. EPA
Fans hold signs Griner during the first half of the WNBA game between the Chicago Sky and Phoenix Mercury at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. EPA
A sign for Griner is displayed during a game between Portland Thorns FC and Angel City FC at Banc of California Stadium in Los Angeles, California. Getty Images / AFP
A sign for Griner is displayed during a game between Portland Thorns FC and Angel City FC at Banc of California Stadium in Los Angeles, California. Getty Images / AFP
The Khimki City Court reportedly had extended Greiner's detention for the duration of her trial on charges of drug smuggling that started on 01 July. EPA
The Khimki City Court reportedly had extended Greiner's detention for the duration of her trial on charges of drug smuggling that started on 01 July. EPA
Griner gestures during a game against Australia at Saitama Super Arena in their Tokyo 2020 Olympic women's basketball quarterfinal game in Saitama, Japan August 4, 2021. Reuters
Griner gestures during a game against Australia at Saitama Super Arena in their Tokyo 2020 Olympic women's basketball quarterfinal game in Saitama, Japan August 4, 2021. Reuters
Dallas Wings' Marina Mabrey wears shoes that have a "BG" logo on them, a reference to Brittney Griner, during the second half of the team's WNBA basketball game against the Indiana Fever, Thursday, June 23, 2022, in Arlington, Texas. AP
Dallas Wings' Marina Mabrey wears shoes that have a "BG" logo on them, a reference to Brittney Griner, during the second half of the team's WNBA basketball game against the Indiana Fever, Thursday, June 23, 2022, in Arlington, Texas. AP
"We Are BG 42" is displayed on the exterior of Footprint Center before the WNBA game between the Phoenix Mercury and the Minnesota Lynx on June 21, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. Getty Images / AFP
"We Are BG 42" is displayed on the exterior of Footprint Center before the WNBA game between the Phoenix Mercury and the Minnesota Lynx on June 21, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. Getty Images / AFP
Minnesota Lynx's Aerial Powers wears a shirt in support of Griner during introductions for the team's WNBA basketball game against the Seattle Storm. Star Tribune / AP
Minnesota Lynx's Aerial Powers wears a shirt in support of Griner during introductions for the team's WNBA basketball game against the Seattle Storm. Star Tribune / AP
Griner poses with her gold medal in Women's Basketball at the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan, August 8, 2021. Reuters
Griner poses with her gold medal in Women's Basketball at the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan, August 8, 2021. Reuters
Brittney Griner with teammates Diana Taurasi and Skylar Diggins posing for pictures with their gold medals on the podium during the medal ceremony for the women's basketball competition of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. AFP
Brittney Griner with teammates Diana Taurasi and Skylar Diggins posing for pictures with their gold medals on the podium during the medal ceremony for the women's basketball competition of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. AFP

Agencies contributed to this report

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