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.
Trump did not care about freeing Michigan native Paul Whelan from Russian jail during his presidency, brother says
The brother of a Michigan native whoโs been detained in Russia for years on accusations of being a spy is calling out former President Donald Trump for failing to free his brother, despite Trump saying retroactively that he would have.
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.
US offers prisoner swap: Russian arms dealer for Novi native Paul Whelan, WNBA star Brittney Griner
The White House is offering a prisoner swap with Russia, offering an arms dealer known as โThe Merchant of Deathโ in hopes of bringing Novi native Paul Whelan and WNBA star Brittney Griner back home.
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.
New hope for Paul Whelan to return home as government officials step in
Ambassador Bill Richardson, who has a reputation for helping bring Americans home from difficult abroad situations, is getting involved in helping free Whelan and hopefully escape some of the turmoil he may have encountered while being held hostage.
White House: Biden has read Griner letter pleading for 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.