U.S. Offers Russia Convicted Arms Dealer In Exchange For Brittney Griner And Paul Whelan, Report Says

Topline

The Biden Administration offered to send convicted arms dealer Viktor Bout back to Russia in exchange for the release of U.S. citizens Paul Whelan and WNBA star Brittney Griner, both of whom are detained in Russia, CNN reported Wednesday, following months of talks initially reported on by Forbes.

Key Facts

Key Background

Griner, who plays for the Phoenix Mercury, was detained in February in Russia when vape cartridges containing hashish oil were discovered in her luggage. She has pleaded guilty to the charges and her trial is ongoing. She faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted. It’s believed Griner’s trial will have to conclude before a deal is finalized, according to CNN. In 2020, Whelan, a former security executive, was sentenced to 16 years in prison in Russia on espionage charges, which he denies and the U.S. has said are false. Bout was convicted for conspiring to sell weapons millions of dollars worth of weapons illegally. Earlier this month, Bout’s lawyer Steve Zissou told NBC News that Moscow is prepared to exchange Griner for Bout if the U.S. were to offer. Both Griner and Whelan’s families have pressed Biden to do whatever he can to release the U.S. citizens.

Tangent

Former Marine Trevor Reed was freed from Russia via a prisoner swap in April. This week he said White House was “not doing enough” to get Griner and Whelan home.

Further Reading

Will Griner Be Freed Through Prisoner Trade With The ‘Merchant Of Death’? Lawyer Claims That’s What Moscow Wants. (Forbes)

Brittney Griner Involved In Possible Prisoner Swap With Russia (Forbes)