via Getty
US WNBA basketball superstar Brittney Griner arrives to a hearing at the Khimki Court, outside Moscow on June 27, 2022. – Griner, a two-time Olympic gold medallist and WNBA champion, was detained at Moscow airport in February on charges of carrying in her luggage vape cartridges with cannabis oil, which could carry a 10-year prison sentence. (Photo by KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP via Getty Images)
via Getty
US WNBA basketball superstar Brittney Griner arrives to a hearing at the Khimki Court, outside Moscow on June 27, 2022. – Griner, a two-time Olympic gold medallist and WNBA champion, was detained at Moscow airport in February on charges of carrying in her luggage vape cartridges with cannabis oil, which could carry a 10-year prison sentence. (Photo by KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP via Getty Images)
Earlier this year, WNBA star Brittney Griner was traveling to a Russia to play basketball in the off-season. This is pretty normal, and many players often do this to keep their fitness levels up and be able to earn money while the WNBA season is on a break. But in the case of Griner, she was sentenced to nine years in jail by a Russian court after being found guilty of drug smuggling charges. Griner has been imprisoned in Russia for over six months now.
International agencies have since gotten involved and the United States has even offered a prisoner exchange to Russia in their attempt to secure Griner’s freedom and bring her back home.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
The US reportedly offered to exchange Victor Bout, a convicted Russian arms dealer also known as the “Merchant of Death”. The swap would be in exchange for Griner and Paul Whelan, another American currently incarcerated in Russia.
Brittney Griner and the Merchant of Death swap
Brittney Griner is undoubtedly one of the best women’s basketball players of all time. Russian authorities are said to be looking into the possibility of a prisoner swap with the US for Griner’s release.
via Imago
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – SEPTEMBER 30: Brittney Griner #42 and Brianna Turner #21 of the Phoenix Mercury talk on the bench in the fourth quarter of Game Two of the 2021 WNBA Playoffs semifinals against the Las Vegas Aces at Michelob ULTRA Arena on September 30, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Mercury defeated the Aces 117-91.
(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
According to reports, a senior Russian diplomat said recently that talks regarding such a prisoner exchange have taken place. “This quite sensitive issue of the swap of convicted Russian and US citizens is being discussed through the channels defined by our presidents,” the diplomat said. “These individuals are, indeed, being discussed,” he added.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Russian media also speculated that the trade could be for Viktor Bout, the “Merchant of Death”. Bout is currently serving a 25-year prison sentence in the United States. He was convicted of conspiracy to kill a US citizen and provide aid to a terrorist organization.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
WATCH THIS STORY: WNBA Stars Who Can Realistically Play in the NBA?
However, experts have said that such a deal could take a long time to come to fruition. This is due in part to the fact that relations between both countries remain strained following the war in Ukraine.
