The Latest Breaking News from Paul Whelan

Reactions to Brittney Griner's conviction, 9-year sentence

WNBA All-Star Brittney Griner was convicted and received a 9-year sentence from a Russian judge for drug possession and smuggling

The Independent UK · Aug 4, 2022

Mercury Focus on the Big Picture Amid Griner’s Conviction in Russia

While the Mercury star was found guilty of drug smuggling and sentenced to nine years by a Russian court, her teammates remain focused on bringing Griner home.

Sports Illustrated · Aug 4, 2022

Joe Biden condemns Griner sentence and calls for ‘immediate release’

President calls basketball star’s detention ‘unacceptable’ as Tony Blinken reiterates commitment to bringing Griner home from Russia

The Guardian - US · Aug 4, 2022

Russian Court finds Brittney Griner guilty, gives WNBA star 9-year sentence

Attention now turns to the possibility of a high-stakes prisoner swap that U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken proposed to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

Chicago Sun-Times · Aug 4, 2022

Brittney Griner sentenced to 9 years in Russian drug trial

Griner's conviction comes nearly six months after she was arrested at a Moscow airport in February.

Axios · Aug 4, 2022

Russian court jails US basketball player Brittney Griner for nine years on drug charges

Griner sentenced and fined 1m roubles in politically charged verdict that could lead to prisoner swap with the US

The Guardian - US · Aug 4, 2022

Russian prosecutors demand more than nine years in jail for Brittney Griner

Verdict on case of US basketball player expected on Thursday evening, says her lawyer

The Guardian - UK · Aug 4, 2022

Closing arguments are set to begin Thursday in Brittney Griner's drug case in Russia

Given that Russian courts rarely acquit defendants and Griner has acknowledged that there were vape canisters with cannabis oil in her luggage, judges have considerable latitude on sentencing.

WEKU · Aug 4, 2022

Closing arguments in Brittney Griner's drug case in Russia

Closing arguments in Brittney Griner’s cannabis possession case in Russia are set for Thursday

The Independent UK · Aug 4, 2022

‘Merchant of death’: Who is Viktor Bout, the arms dealer who was swapped for Brittney Griner

The former Soviet military officer was arrested in Bangkok in 2008 and is now serving 25 years in US prison

The Independent UK · Aug 3, 2022