Jul 29 Blinken, Russian top diplomat speak about Griner, Whelan By Matthew Lee, Associated Press Secretary of State Antony Blinken says he has spoken to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and urged Moscow to accept a U.S. proposal to release WNBA star Brittney Griner and another American detainee, Paul Whelan. Continue reading
Jul 27 U.S. offers Russia deal to bring jailed Americans Griner, Whelan home By Matthew Lee, Eric Tucker, Associated Press The Biden administration has offered a deal to Russia aimed at bringing home WNBA star Brittney Griner and another jailed American Paul Whelan. Continue reading
Jul 27 WATCH: Secretary of State Blinken says U.S. has offered Russia a deal to return jailed Americans Griner, Whelan By Matthew Lee, Eric Tucker, Associated Press The statement marked the first time the U.S. government has publicly revealed any concrete action it has taken to secure the release of Griner, who was arrested on drug-related charges at a Moscow airport in February. Continue reading
Jun 15 Watch 4:21 Paul Whelan and Maria Ressa, Americans held abroad, convicted in controversial trials By Nick Schifrin, Layla Quran Two Americans held overseas have been convicted in controversial court cases. In Russia, former Marine Paul Whelan was sentenced to 16 years in prison after a trial the U.S. ambassador to Russia called “a mockery of justice.” In the Philippines,… Continue watching
Jun 15 American sentenced to 16 years in Russia on spying charges By Vladimir Isachenkov, Associated Press 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. Continue reading
Jan 03 Watch 6:58 Former CIA officer says Whelan doesn’t fit the profile of U.S. intelligence Russia has detained Paul Whelan, a former U.S. Marine, on charges of espionage. Whelan's family says he was traveling for a wedding. The arrest comes weeks after accused Russian agent Maria Butina agreed to cooperate with U.S. prosecutors. John Sipher,… Continue watching
Jan 02 U.S. wants access to American held in Moscow on spying charges By Lynn Berry, Associated Press Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Wednesday that the U.S. hopes to gain access soon to a former Marine who was arrested in Russia on espionage charges and that "if the detention is not appropriate we will demand his… Continue reading