US offers prisoner swap with Russian official

The US State Department maintains that Griner is wrongfully detained, and her case has raised concerns that she is being used as a political pawn in Russia's war against Ukraine. The US officials offered a potential prisoner swap to try to bring her home safely.

The swap of convicted Russian and US citizens is being discussed through the channels defined by our Presidents. These individuals are being discussed. The Russian side has been looking for the release of Viktor Bout for a long time. According to a request for comment on US news reports, Darchiev said that US officials had sent a proposal to Moscow on swapping Bout for Griner and Whelan, and that details should be left to professionals.

The US State Department said Monday that the US government continues to urge Russia to release wrongful detainees Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said there was a substantial proposal on the table weeks ago to facilitate their release. "We will not go into detail of what we proposed to the Russians," a Russian spokeswoman said. Russia has been accused of espionage since 2018. There's no timetable for Griner's appeal, which normally takes one to two months or longer. Griner's attorney, Maria Blagovolina, a partner at Rybalkin Gortsunyan Dyakin and Partners, told CNN of the appeal. Russia has been accused of espionage since 2018. There is no set timetable for Griner's appeal, which normally takes one to two months or longer. Griner's attorney, Maria Blagovolina, a partner at Rybalkin Gortsunyan Dyakin and Partners, told CNN of the appeal. Whelan has been held by Russia for alleged espionage since 2018. There's no timetable for Griner's appeal, which normally takes one to two months or longer. Griner's attorney, Maria Blagovolina, a partner at Rybalkin Gortsunyan Dyakin and Partners, told CNN of the appeal. The verdict appeal and possible prisoner swap conversations operate independently, said Alexander Boykov, an attorney for Moscow Legal Center. Brittney Griner, who was sentenced to 9 years in Russian jail for drug smuggling, should not affect them. This is part of the legal process. He said that there was no reason for the Russian government to wait for the appeal to be withdrawn before the actual hearing. People briefed on the matter said that the Justice Department opposed trading Bout during months of internal discussions between US agencies. Sources say that Justice officials accepted that a Bout trade would have the support of top officials at the State Department and White House, including President Joe Biden. The Russian government has often floated Bout as a subject of potential trade for a number of Americans. Bout's attorney said he is confident that the exchange will happen. Griner, 31, was arrested in February for allegedly carrying vape cartridges containing cannabis oil in her luggage. The two-time US Olympic basketball gold medalist pleaded guilty to drug charges and said she accidentally packed the drugs in a hurry. The nine-year sentence, along with a fine of about $16,400, was issued August 4 by Khimki city court judge Anna Sotnikova, who said the court took into account Griner's partial admission of guilt remorse for the deed, state of health and charitable activities.