Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin (born 7 October 1952) is a Russian politician and former intelligence officer who has served as President of Russia since 2012, previously holding the position from 1999 until 2008. He was also the Prime Minister of Russia from 1999 to 2000 and again from 2008 to 2012.
Brittney Griner thanks supporters on 32nd birthday
washingtonblade.comWNBA star Brittney Griner on Tuesday in a message through her lawyers thanked her supporters who continue to press for her release. “Thank you everyone for fighting so hard to get me home,” said Griner, whose 32nd birthday was on Tuesday. “All the support and love are definitely helping me.” Officials at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport in February detained Griner — a Phoenix Mercury center and two-time Olympic gold medalist who is a lesbian and married to her wife, Cherelle Griner — after customs inspectors allegedly found hashish oil in her luggage.
The State Department has determined that Russia “wrongfully detained” her. A Russian court on Aug. 4 convicted Brittney Griner of smuggling drugs into the country and sentenced her to nine years in a penal colony.
The court is scheduled to consider Brittney Griner’s appeal of the sentence on Oct. 25. Cherelle Griner on Sept. 16 met with President Joe Biden at the White House.
American officials have publicly acknowledged their willingness to release Viktor Bout, a Russian arms dealer who is serving a 25-year prison sentence in the U.S., as part of a deal to secure the release of Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan, another American citizen who is serving a 16-year prison sentence in Russia after his conviction for spying.
