US and Russia have come to terms as Brittney Grinner was released this Thursday after the countries agreed to exchange the jailed Basketball star for arms dealer Viktor Bout. Russia’s foreign ministry confirmed the release of Brittney Grinner, with the exchange taking place at the Abu Dhabi airport. Russia has sought Bout’s release for a really long time.
It was earlier this year in July that the Biden government proposed a swap for Griner‘s release who was arrested after getting caught with weed vape cartridges at the Russian airport.
Tune in as I deliver an important announcement. https://t.co/2BVdSsmIFA
— President Biden (@POTUS) December 8, 2022
After spending more than 10 months in a Russian prison, the WNBA star will finally step foot on US soil. There’s no detail on whether she will be kept behind bars after her transfer to the US. Brittney Griner was sentenced to nine years in prison and was recently transferred to the Russian Penal Colony to serve her full sentence.
Who is Viktor Bout – prisoner exchanged for Brittney Griner
Viktor Bout gained notoriety due to his involvement in arms dealing with warlords and rogue government agents. The Russian arms dealer was convicted in November 2011 after the jury found him guilty of conspiracy to kill US citizens and officials. He was also arrested on charges of delivering anti-aircraft missiles and aiding a terrorist organization.
Viktor Bout was one of the world’s most wanted criminals at the time of his arrest. He was serving a 25-year jail time in the US before being released in a prisoner exchange for Brittney Griner. It’s likely, he will spend the rest of his jail time in the Russian prison. Bout, who was born in USSR is Ukrainian by birth. However, he came a Russian citizen after the dissolution of the USSR in 1991.
Moments ago I spoke to Brittney Griner.
She is safe.
She is on a plane.
She is on her way home. pic.twitter.com/FmHgfzrcDT— President Biden (@POTUS) December 8, 2022
Viktor Bout served in the Soviet Armed Forces. However, there’s very little information about his time with the armed forces. While some reports claim that he retired as a lieutenant colonel, other reports indicate he was a major in the Soviet Air Forces before retiring in 1991.
Discussion about this post