PAUL WHELAN

WNBA star Brittney Griner this week began serving her nine-year sentence for drug possession at a Russian penal colony.

The U.S. basketball star was transferred to a prison colony in Mordovia — 300 miles southwest of Moscow — to begin serving out a nine-year sentence on drug charges.

The Biden administration has maintained its determination to bring home Griner and Whelan. Russian authorities recently transferred Griner to the country’s dreaded penal colony, where many prisoners have detailed abuse along with a multitude of other human rights violations. Russian officials jailed Griner in February when authorities arrested her at a Moscow airport after finding a small amount of cannabis oil in her luggage. During her court testimony, Griner said she’s still unsure how cannabis oil ended up in her luggage. She said a doctor recommended cannabis oil for her injuries on the basketball court.

A show of prison artwork by a Russian arms trader serving 25 years in the United States and the focus of speculation about a prisoner swap that could free WBNA star Brittney Griner has opened at the upper chamber of the Russian parliament.

CIA Director Bill Burns has met with his Russian intelligence counterpart to warn of consequences if Russia were to deploy a nuclear weapon in Ukraine.

Russia did not inform the U.S. of Brittney Griner's transfer to a penal colony ahead of time and has yet to engage in talks about her release "with the seriousness of purpose," the State Department said Thursday.

U.S. Embassy officials in Russia visited imprisoned WNBA star Brittney Griner, who was sentenced to nine years in prison for drug possession. The U.S. is trying to get Griner and Marine veteran Paul Whelan released in a prisoner swap.

President Joe Biden says he hopes Russian President Vladimir Putin will be more willing to negotiate the release of WNBA star Brittney Griner now that the U.S. midterm elections are over.

Officials at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow visited jailed WNBA star Brittney Griner on Thursday, just weeks after a Russian court rejected her appeal of her nine-year sentence for drug possession. State Department spokesman Ned Price said in a tweet that the American representatives “saw firsthand her tenacity and perseverance despite her present circumstances." Price said the Biden administration is continuing to press for the immediate release of Griner and Paul Whelan, who was sentenced in 2020 to 16 years in prison in Russia on espionage-related charges that he and his family say are bogus, and "fair treatment for every detained American.”

The Kremlin has reiterated that any discussions about a possible swap involving U.S. basketball star Brittney Griner who is serving a nine-year prison sentence in Russia for drug possession must be strictly confidential.

Brittney Griner spent her 32nd birthday in a Russian prison, awaiting an appeal to her nine-year sentence for drug possession that’s set for next week.

WNBA star Brittney Griner is at her “absolute weakest moment in life right now” as she faces a hearing in Russia later this month for her appeal of a nine-year prison sentence for drug possession.

Venezuela’s government has freed seven Americans imprisoned in the South American country in exchange for the release of two nephews of President Nicolás Maduro’s wife who had been jailed for years by the United States on drug smuggling convictions.

The Biden administration should create an additional senior-level position at the White House National Security Council to focus on cases of Americans wrongfully detained in foreign countries.

The announcement has fueled speculation that the Biden administration may have reached a deal to bring Griner and Whelan home or be closing in on securing their freedom. The announcement has fueled speculation that the Biden administration may have reached a deal to bring Griner and Whelan home or be closing in on securing their freedom. However, the Democrat did so against the wishes of the White House, which had earlier successfully discouraged former NBA star Dennis Rodman from taking the trip. The White House didn’t want news of the planned meeting to give false hope of the detainees’ release. Griner and Whelan’s families hope Biden uses those deal-making skills with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Top WNBA players are finding other places to compete this winter, not wanting to go back to Russia after the arrest and conviction of Brittney Griner on drug possession charges and the country's invasion of Ukraine.

President Biden met with the families of Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan to discuss bringing them back to the U.S. They are serving sentences in a Russian prison.

President Joe Biden met with family members of WNBA star Brittney Griner and another American detained in Russia, Paul Whelan.

The White House on Friday revealed that Russia has not yet responded to a "substantial proposal" the U.S. made back in July for the release of Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan.

Biden will hold meetings at the White House with Griner’s wife and Whalen's sister to discuss bringing home their family members, who have been held in Russia.

Senior administration officials say President Joe Biden plans to meet at the White House on Friday with the families of WNBA star Brittney Griner and Michigan corporate security executive Paul Whelan, both of whom remain jailed in Russia.

President Joe Biden plans to meet at the White House on Friday with the families of WNBA star Brittney Griner and Michigan corporate security executive Paul Whelan, both of whom remain jailed in Russia.

The Biden administration has selected a veteran foreign service officer with years of experience in Russian affairs to be the next U.S. ambassador to Russia.

Bill Richardson, who has worked to secure the releases of WNBA star Brittney Griner and another jailed American, Paul Whelan, visited Moscow this week and held meetings with Russian leaders.

There are over 50 Americans that are wrongfully detained in several countries, and many wonder why is it hard to negotiate their release.

The U.S. Marine veteran said Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan are likely to be kept in "terrible" conditions.

On "The Takeout" podcast this week, Geltzer talks with host Major Garrett about the Biden administration's efforts to bring home Americans wrongfully detained abroad.

As the WNBA star's lawyers appeal her 9-year jail sentence, a Russian official has confirmed ongoing talks with the U.S. about a potential prisoner swap.

The family of the 60-year-old imprisoned by Russia over medical marijuana says this is "the last opportunity to save his life."

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.

Russia will discuss a prisoner exchange involving the basketball star but not in public, said Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

The Kremlin says it’s open to talking about a possible prisoner exchange involving American basketball star Brittney Griner but strongly warned Washington against publicizing the issue.

The White House has urged Russia to accept its offer of a deal for the release of Griner and former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan

Now that WNBA star Brittney Griner has been convicted of drug possession and sentenced to nine years in prison, attention turns to the prospect of a prisoner swap between the United States and Russia that could get her home.

Russia will regard any prisoner swap as a propaganda win. But the real message we can proclaim is about American values.

A judge in Russia convicted American basketball star Brittney Griner of drug possession and smuggling.

Several reports said the United States government has offered to swap the so-called “Merchant of Death” Viktor Bout for Griner and another imprisoned American, Paul Whelan. Several reports said the United States government has offered to swap the so-called “Merchant of Death” Viktor Bout for Griner and another imprisoned American, Paul Whelan. During her testimony, Griner told the court that she’s still unsure how cannabis oil ended up in her luggage. She said a doctor recommended cannabis oil for her injuries on the basketball court. “I didn’t have any intent to use or keep in my possession any substance that is prohibited in Russia,” Griner said.

American basketball star Brittney Griner is back in court for her trial for cannabis possession amid U.S. diplomatic efforts to secure her release.

Since Brittney Griner last appeared in her trial for cannabis possession, the question of her fate has expanded from a cramped courtroom on Moscow’s outskirts to the highest level of Russia-U.S. diplomacy.

Russian officials are asking that a former colonel from Russia’s domestic spy agency be included in the proposed prisoner swap, according to CNN.

Russia wants to add murderer to prisoner swap for Griner, Whelan: Report

It was the first time he and Sergey Lavrov have spoken since Russia invaded Ukraine six months ago.

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.

Russia's top diplomat says he’s open to a call with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken to discuss a possible prisoner swap involving American basketball star Brittney Griner.

The Biden administration likes to say Russia is isolated internationally because of its invasion of Ukraine.

There is growing speculation that the Russian arms dealer could be released from U.S. prison in exchange for Russia freeing Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan.

There is growing speculation that the Russian arms dealer could be released from U.S. prison in exchange for Russia freeing Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan.

Russian officials said Thursday that negotiations had been taking place for a possible prisoner swap between the United States and Russia, but that a deal had not yet been reached.

The Kremlin has warned that a possible prisoner swap with the United States involving American basketball star Brittney Griner needs to be negotiated quietly without fanfare.

The secretary of state said securing the Americans' release remains a "top priority" for the U.S.

The Biden administration is seeking the release of WNBA star Brittney Griner and ex-Marine Paul Whelan.

It is unclear what the deal is, or whether it will be enough for Russia to release the Americans.

The Biden administration has offered a deal to Russia aimed at bringing home WNBA star Brittney Griner and another jailed American, Paul Whelan.

The U.S. has offered a deal to Russia aimed at bringing home WNBA star Brittney Griner and another jailed American, Paul Whelan, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Wednesday. In a sharp reversal of previous policy, Blinken also said he expects to speak with his Kremlin counterpart for the first time since before Russia invaded Ukraine. 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 and testified Wednesday at her trial.

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 Moscow’s airport in February and officials told her to sign documents without giving an explanation.

The latest Russian court hearing in the drug trial of American basketball star Brittney Griner has focused on testimony about countries that regard cannabis as having legitimate medicinal uses.

The spokesperson for Russia’s Foreign Ministry says the United States has shown disrespect for Russian law by characterizing basketball star Brittney Griner’s jailing on drug charges as “wrongful detention.”.

We should not abandon our citizens in their time of need. But our efforts to bring Brittney Griner home shouldn't hinge on an ill-advised trade.

A lawyer for the WNBA star at her drug possession trial in Russia gave the court a U.S. doctor's letter recommending she use medical cannabis to treat pain. Medical marijuana is not legal in Russia.

In Russia’s judicial system, admitting guilt doesn’t automatically end a trial.

A lawyer for WNBA star Brittney Griner at her drug possession trial has given a Russian court a letter from a U.S. doctor recommending she use cannabis to treat pain.

Sports Seriously: Former NBA star Tracy McGrady discusses why Russell Westbrook's play style doesn't fit on the Lakers roster with LeBron James.

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 women’s basketball in the country.

A Russian arms dealer labeled the “Merchant of Death” and who once inspired a Hollywood movie is back in the headlines again.

LeBron James is publicly criticizing the United States’ handling of WNBA All-Star Brittney Griner’s case in a trailer for an upcoming episode of his television show: “The Shop: Uninterrupted.”.

President Joe Biden has spoken by phone with the sister of Paul Whelan, an American who has been imprisoned in Russia for more than three years.

When Brittney Griner pleaded guilty to drug possession in a Russian court, hopes rose that her months of detention may soon be over, either through a U.S.-Russia prisoner swap or a pardon from President Vladimir Putin.

Griner was arrested at a moment of severe tension between Washington and Moscow, that has worsened with Russia’s war on Ukraine

WNBA star Brittney Griner pleaded guilty to drug possession charges on the second day of her trial in a Russian court in a case that could see her sentenced to up to 10 years in prison.

Brittney Griner’s 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 “forget about me and the other American Detainees.”.

Viktor Bout, whose wild exploits once inspired a Hollywood film starring Nicolas Cage, is serving a 25-year sentence in a U.S. prison.

WNBA star Brittney Griner has gone on trial in a Russian court on charges of possessing cannabis oil.

WNBA star Brittney Griner appeared in a court near Moscow that ordered her trial on cannabis possession charges to begin Friday, about 4 1/2 months after she was arrested at an airport while returning to play for a Russian team.

Brittney Griner will have a place at the WNBA All-Star Game.

State Department officials have met with representatives of Brittney Griner’s WNBA team about the Phoenix Mercury star’s monthslong detention in Russia and the Biden administration’s efforts to secure her release.

Penny Taylor used her induction into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame to call for the release of her former Phoenix Mercury teammate Brittney Griner.

WNBA star Brittney Griner is easily the most prominent American locked up by a foreign country.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul signed 10 gun-related bills on Monday, making the state one of the first to enact legislation amid a wave of deadly mass shootings in the U.S. (June 6)

Brittney Griner has been able to receive emails and letters from WNBA players to an account Griner’s agent set up to allow them to communicate with her.

UMM AL-QUWAIN, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The hulking, Soviet-era cargo plane has sat for decades under the blazing sun in a remote corner of the United Arab Emirates, its four jet engines silent after years in the employ of a Russian gunrunner known as the “Merchant of Death.” The emirate of Umm al-Quwain plans a $675 million development on a island just across a lagoon from the deactivated airport where Bout's plane sits.

The State Department said Tuesday that it still pushing to have regular contact with WNBA star Brittney Griner, who has been detained in Russia for nearly three months.

Relatives of American hostages and wrongful detainees are trying to get the Biden administration's attention in hopes of getting their loved ones home.

A series of factors helped pave the way for Trevor Reed's release from a Russian prison this week as part of a prisoner exchange.

WNBA superstar Brittney Griner, who was detained at a Moscow airport after agents accused her of having of cannabis oil, remains in Russian custody.

Brittney Griner remains detained in Russia and it’s unclear how an unexpected prisoner exchange between the United States and Russia that freed marine veteran Trevor Reed will affect the status of the WNBA star.

Russia and the United States have exchanged prisoners.

WNBA All-Star and two-time Olympic gold medalist Brittney Griner is easily the most prominent American citizen known to be jailed by a foreign government.

The Phoenix Mercury are preparing for their WNBA season without teammate Brittney Griner.

Serhyi Malyshenkon displays medals awarded to him by the USSR for his military service – all now charred after his house in Yasnohorodka, Ukraine, was destroyed by Russian shelling. "This house never did anything wrong to anyone."

The two-year case against Calvey further tainted Russia’s reputation for foreign investment and divided Moscow’s business community.

Paul Whelan and Trevor Reed are imprisoned in Russia.

Both families are calling on President Biden to help secure the release of Paul Whelan and Trevor Reed.

Both families are calling on President Biden to help secure the release of Paul Whelan and Trevor Reed.

Former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan speaks from inside a defendants' cage during a court hearing in Moscow, Russia, June 20, 2019. REUTERSMoscow A Russian court has upheld an earlier ruling allowing the extended detention of a former U.S. Marine jailed in Moscow on espionage charges. Moscow's appellate court rejected Paul Whelan's appeal Tuesday against the ruling last year that granted Russian authorities permission to keep him in custody until March 29, pending a trial. Paul Whelan, American accused of spying in Russia, to remain in prisonDays after he arrived in Russia, new U.S. Whelan's Russian lawyer Vladimir Zherebenkov said he and his team were almost done going over the case files with their client, all of which remain classified.

Former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan, who was detained and accused of espionage, speaks inside a defendants' cage during a court hearing to consider an appeal to extend his detention in Moscow, Russia June 20, 2019. REUTERSMoscow -- The U.S. Embassy in Moscow says the condition of an American man held on spying charges in Russia has worsened. The Embassy said on Twitter Monday that Russian authorities had rejected a request to send a doctor to examine Paul Whelan. U.S. intelligence sources say American jailed in Russia not a spyU.S. intelligence and State Department sources have told CBS News they're confident Whelan is not a spy. At the hearing in May during which his detention was extended, Whelan complained to reporters of alleged abuse in custody.