FM: Russia to discuss exchange of prisoners with US only through special channel

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has said that Russia is ready to discuss the exchange of prisoners with the US through a special channel, which was agreed upon by Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Joe Biden.

Russia’s Khimki City Court sentenced US basketball player Brittney Griner to nine years and a half in prison and issued a fine worth one million roubles ($16,576) on August 4 for drug smuggling, Kommersant newspaper reports.

President Biden called it unacceptable and urged to immediately release Griner.

Griner has been playing for the Russian UMMC Ekaterinburg basketball club owned by Ural Mining Metallurgical Company (UMMC) since 2016. She was detained at Sheremetyevo International Airport on February 17, 2022, upon arrival in Moscow from New York. E-cigarettes with hash oil were reportedly found in her luggage.