US Frees Brittney Griner For Notorious Arms Dealer: Brittney Griner, an incarcerated American basketball player, was traded to Russia for notorious arms dealer Viktor Bout, who had been detained in an American jail for 12 years. According to President Joe Biden, Griner is safe and returning home from the United Arab Emirates on a plane.
He stated at the White House, “I’m delighted to hear Brittney’s in excellent spirits.. she needs time and space to heal.
Griner was detained in February at a Moscow airport for having cannabis oil, and last month he was transferred to a prison camp. Knowing that Moscow had long demanded Bout’s release, the Biden administration proposed a prisoner exchange in July of last year.
US Frees Brittney Griner For Notorious Arms Dealer: Brittney Griner was sentenced to nine years in a penal colony by a court in Russia in AugustThe swap was confirmed by Russia’s foreign ministry, which added that it had happened at the airport in Abu Dhabi. The announcement read, “The Russian citizen has been repatriated to his homeland.” Bout’s sentence of 25 years in prison was commuted when President Biden signed the order releasing him.
Viktor Bout became one of the most sought persons in the world after providing weapons to warlords and unsavory governments.
The 2005 Hollywood film Lord of War, was largely based on his life. It was inspired by the activities of the Russian, who was known as the “merchant of death”. For smuggling guns in the years following the fall of the Soviet Union.
An intricate US sting operation that year resulted in his arrest at a hotel in Bangkok. Angering the Russian government, and putting an end to his clandestine career.
After being sent to the United States two years later, he has been imprisoned there for the past 12 years for planning to support terrorists and kill Americans.
Joe Biden was pictured with Griner’s wife Cherelle and Secretary of State Antony Blinken looking on
President Biden was pictured with Griner’s wife Cherelle
Also, President Biden included a picture of himself and Griner’s wife Cherelle taken in the Oval Office in a tweet.
“I just had a conversation with Brittney Griner. She’s secure. She’s in the air. She is traveling home “He composed.
Griner’s negotiations began in the summer, US made it clear that it also wanted the former marine Paul Whelan released. Whelan, who Russia accuses of spying, was not mentioned as a part of the prisoner trade, though.
Paul Whelan was not included in the exchange, according to US officials, who had previously informed the family, according to Whelan’s brother David, who applauded Griner’s release.
He declared in a statement that “it’s obvious the US administration needs to be more proactive.” “The United States needs a quicker, more direct response if evil actors like Russia are going to seize innocent Americans.”
