Saudi Arabia says MBS made 'personal efforts' to help free Griner

is doubling down on its claim that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman helped secure the release of WNBA star in a prisoner swap with the Russians.

The Saudi foreign minister vouched for the ‘personal role’ of MBS, who U.S. intelligence concluded ordered the brutal slaying of Jamal Khashoggi in 2018 in Turkey.     

‘I am aware of his highness’s personal efforts in relation to the basketball player and his engagement and personal intervention to facilitate this release,’ Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud told reporters in Riyadh.

‘As for what others say, I cannot comment on that,’ he said.

He was speaking after the White House called it a two-way negotiation following the release of a joint Saudi-United Arab Emirates statement claiming partial credit. 

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Thursday it was only the U.S. and Russia who negotiated the exchange – while expressing gratitude to other countries that raised the issue with Russia.