Blinken: Russia must immediately free 2 detained Americans
The State Department says Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged his Russian counterpart, in a rare phone call between the diplomats since the Ukraine war, to immediately release a Wall Street Journal reporter who was detained last week as well as another imprisoned American, Paul Whelan.
Venezuela swaps 7 jailed Americans for Maduro relatives
Venezuelaโs government has freed seven Americans imprisoned in the South American country in exchange for the release of two nephews of President Nicolรกs Maduroโs wife who had been jailed for years by the United States on drug smuggling convictions.
Veteran emissary Richardson hopeful for Griner, Whelan swap
Bill Richardson, the former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and a frequent emissary in hostage negotiations, says he's hopeful about the chances of a two-for-two prisoner swap that could result in the release of WNBA star Brittney Griner and another jailed American, Paul Whelan.
WNBA's Griner tells drug trial: 'My career is my whole life'
WNBA star Brittney Griner testified at her drug possession trial in Russia that an interpreter translated only a fraction of what was said during questioning when she was detained at Moscowโs airport in February and officials told her to sign documents without giving an explanation.
WNBA's Griner gets support at trial from character witnesses
The drug possession trial of WNBA star Brittney Griner has resumed, with the head of the Russian club she plays for in the offseason and a teammate from that squad testifying in support of her character and what she has meant for womenโs basketball in the country.
American detained in Russia sends letter to President Biden pleading for his help
Brittney Grinerโs appeal to President Joe Biden in a handwritten letter continued to garner reaction Tuesday after the WNBA All-Star acknowledged she feared never returning home and asked Biden not โforget about me and the other American Detainees.โ.
Biden faces calls to secure release of US man in Afghanistan
The Biden administration must determine how to handle that commitment. Frerichs' supporters are concerned that a drawdown of military personnel from Afghanistan leaves the U.S. without the leverage it needs to demand his release. AdThe State Department is offering $5 million for information leading to Frerichs' return. We will not stop working until we secure his safe return home,โ said State Department spokesman Ned Price. โYou donโt leave Americans behind, and I just really want to make sure that heโs home safe.โAdBlinken told reporters Wednesday that the Biden administration wanted to take a detailed look at that deal, saying.
Parents of US man held in Moscow demand fair trial for son
This image provided by Joey Reed, shows Trevor Reed and his mom Paula Reed in 2014 in Arlington, Texas. The parents of Trevor Reed spoke Monday to The Associated Press as a Russian court sentenced another American man to more than a decade in prison in an unrelated espionage case. They spoke out as a Russian court sentenced another American to more than a decade in prison in an unrelated espionage case. But instead of taking him for medical care, as the family says is standard protocol in Moscow, officers drove him to the police station. We would hope that Russian law is followed and due process is used in my sons case, Joey Reed said.
American sentenced to 16 years in Russia on spying charges
MOSCOW A Russian court on Monday sentenced an American businessman to 16 years in prison on spying charges, a sentence that he and his brother rejected as being political. The Moscow City Court read out the conviction of Paul Whelan on charges of espionage and sentenced him to 16 years in a maximum security prison colony. Whelan, who was arrested in Moscow in December 2018, has insisted on his innocence, saying he was set up. Whelan, who also holds British, Irish and Canadian citizenship, denies the charges of spying for the U.S. that his lawyers said stem from a sting operation. Whelan has publicly complained of poor prison conditions in Russia and has said his life is in danger.
US asks to see detained American over conditions at Moscow prison
MOSCOW (CNN) - The US Embassy in Moscow on Friday formally requested "immediate" consular access to detained American citizen Paul Whelan over his allegations that he has been injured while in custody, according to embassy spokesperson Andrea Kalan. Whelan was detained in Russia late last year on espionage charges, an allegation he denies. At the end of the hearing at Moscow's Lefortovo court, the judge overseeing the case extended Whelan's detention until October 29. Friday's developments are the latest wrinkle in a case that has drawn international attention as questions persist over Whelan's treatment and the grounds of his arrest. The US Embassy first publicly protested Whelan's treatment in early July, and his family has said he needs more extensive medical care.