Bill Richardson visiting Moscow in hopes of releasing former Government Britney Griner

Joe Biden, former New Mexico Gov. Have Bill Richardson (D) come and help.

A source told ABC News on Saturday that Richardson plans to make the long trip to Moscow in the next few weeks, according to ESPN.

Richardson’s involvement could be the beginning of a prisoner exchange involving Griner. The former governor of New Mexico recently made such a deal with the Russians to secure the release of former US Marine Trevor Reed, who had been held by the Russians for more than two years.

However, the prisoner swap involving Griner may be more complicated, as the Russians are reportedly looking to trade a high-profile WNBA player for the notorious Russian arms dealer, Viktor Bout, also known as the “death dealer.”

Britney Griner was detained by Russian authorities after vape cartridges allegedly filled with hash oil were found in her trunk. Due to the nature of the crime and the amount reported, Griner could be sentenced to ten years in prison under Russian law.

Richardson will not be traveling as a US government spokesperson. He will travel to Russia as a spokesperson for the Griner family and the family of Paul Whelan, another former US Marine, ESPN reported.

Last week, Griner was found guilty of drug possession in a Russian court. However, the legal team was quick to add that the defense was more about a criminal complaint to facilitate a prisoner exchange and that the chances of acquittal in a politically motivated case were close to zero.

Richardson’s help came at the request of Britney Giner’s wife, Cherell Griner, who recently said the Biden administration had “done nothing” to secure her husband’s release.

Britney Griner’s wife, Cherell, said she was “discouraged” that Britney had still not received a response from the White House after she wrote a handwritten letter to the president. Biden from the Russian prison seeks help. pic.twitter.com/MTyQqCJIBj

– CBS Morning (@CBSSabah) July 5, 2022

Griner plays in Russia for Russia’s professional women’s basketball team. It’s common for WNBA players to have their league off-season.