Former marine Trevor Reed Released From Russian custody in Prisoner Swap, Brittney Griner Remains Detained
WASHINGTON D.C. – Former U.S. Marine Trevor Reed, 30, has been released from Russian custody in a prisoner exchange, the Biden governance announced Wednesday. The swap involved the release of Konstantin Yaroshenko,a Russian pilot serving a 27-year sentence in the United States on drug trafficking charges.
Reed was imprisoned in Russia for allegedly assaulting a police officer while intoxicated,a charge his family and U.S. diplomats have vehemently disputed, describing the evidence presented at trial as “preposterous” and “absurd.” They believe he was being used as a bargaining chip in negotiations. In recent weeks, Reed’s health had considerably deteriorated, leading to hospitalization for symptoms of tuberculosis and a possible broken rib, increasing the urgency for his release.
president Joe Biden, who met with the Reed family last month, stated the negotiations “required difficult decisions that I do not take lightly.” He added, “I heard in the voices of Trevor’s parents how much they’ve worried about his health and missed his presence. And I was delighted to be able to share with them the good news about Trevor’s freedom.”
Despite Reed’s release, WNBA star brittney Griner and former Marine Paul Whelan remain detained in Russia. Whelan was first arrested at the end of 2018 and sentenced in 2020 to 16 years in prison on espionage charges, which his family denies. Griner’s detention was not detailed in the declaration.
The Whelan family expressed “complex feelings” regarding Reed’s release, with family attorney Ryan Fayhee stating it was a ”missed opportunity” to secure Paul Whelan’s freedom as well, given the differing nature of the crimes for which the exchanged prisoners were convicted. Fayhee urged President Biden to meet with the Whelans and explore option options for Whelan’s release.
The State Department has declined to provide a precise number of Americans currently detained in Russia. This exchange occurs against the backdrop of heightened tensions following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
