Former US ambassador Bill Richardson attends meetings in Russia amid Brittney Griner's detention: report

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Bill Richardson, the former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and a prominent figure in previous hostage negotiations, traveled to Moscow this week and met with Russian leadership amid efforts to negotiate the release of WNBA star Brittney Griner, according to reports. 

A person familiar with the matter told The Associated Press on Tuesday that Richardson held meetings with Russian leaders, months after getting involved in Griner’s case.

Bill Richardson has secured prisoner releases "in both official and non-official capacities," according to The Richardson Center, a non-profit organization founded by Richardson. (Adam Jeffery/CNBC/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images)

A spokesperson with The Richardson Center, a non-profit organization founded by Richardson, told Fox News Digital on Wednesday that they were "unable to comment" on the reports at this time. 

BRITTNEY GRINER STILL SEEN AS ‘WRONGFULLY DETAINED’ DESPITE RUSSIA TRIAL, STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAYS

Griner was convicted and given a nine-year prison sentence last month after police said in February that they found vape cartridges containing oils derived from cannabis in her luggage at a Moscow airport.

Griner contended she made "an honest mistake" when she brought vape cartridges through the airport, adding, "I hope in your ruling it does not end my life."

The U.S. State Department has maintained that Griner was wrongfully detained and offered a "substantial proposal" for her release, as well as that of another jailed American, Paul Whelan, a Michigan corporate security executive serving a 16-year sentence on espionage-related charges.

WNBA star and two-time Olympic