Griner is supposedly being traded for notorious arms dealer Viktor Bout.
American basketball player Brittney Griner, sentenced to nine years in prison in Russia, is free again. The Office of the US President announced on Thursday that she was released as part of a prisoner exchange. Griner, who was convicted of drug possession in Russia, has been transferred to US custody. According to the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, she was exchanged for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout.
Bout was sentenced to 25 years in prison by a Manhattan court in 2012. According to Russian information, the exchange took place at an airport in Abu Dhabi.
US President Joe Biden tweeted that Griner was fine and heading home: “I spoke to Brittney Griner moments ago. She is safe. She is on a plane. She is coming home.” The Russian Foreign Ministry said the exchange took place at Abu Dhabi airport.
(APA)