- Russia demanded that Vadim Krasikov, a Russian spy serving a life sentence in Germany, be released along with notorious arms dealer Viktor Bout in order to secure the release of both Paul Whelan and Brittney Griner.
- Vadim Krasikov was convicted in December of 2021 of a brazen daylight killing in Germany’s capital that judges said was ordered by federal authorities in Russia and was labeled as “state terrorism” by a Berlin court.
