Until now imprisoned near Moscow, American basketball player Brittney Griner was removed from prison on November 4 and is "on the way to a Russian penal colony", according to a statement from her lawyers.
The latter specify that they have “no information on where it is exactly” now or on its “final destination”.
US President Joe Biden is demanding that Moscow “improve the treatment and conditions that she may be forced to undergo” in this colony, responded White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre.
“Every minute Brittney Griner has to endure unjustified detention in Russia is a minute too long,” she added.
She recalled that Washington had submitted to Russia a “significant offer” for the release of the sportswoman, and another American detained, the former soldier Paul Whelan.
Possible exchange of prisoners
Russian justice rejected on October 25 the appeal of the American basketball player, sentenced in Russia to nine years in prison for cannabis trafficking.
According to Russian diplomatic sources, a possible exchange of prisoners could notably concern Brittney Griner and a Russian arms trafficker detained in the United States, Viktor Bout.
Mr. Bout was arrested in Thailand in 2008 and is currently serving a 25-year prison sentence in the United States.
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Russia: Russia wants to discuss a prisoner exchange for American basketball player Brittney Griner
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Russia: American basketball player Brittney Griner sentenced to nine years in prison for drug trafficking
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