WNBA star BrittneyGriner has been released from a Russian penal colony in a prisoner exchange for arms dealer Viktor Bout.
Griner, a two-time Olympic champion and one of the biggest stars of the WNBA, was the most prominent American wrongfully detained abroad until her release on Thursday. The Biden administration has faced intense pressure to bring her home.
In negotiating for Griner’s release, U.S. officials agreed to a prisoner swap with Bout, who was once described by the U.S. Justice Department as one of the most prolific arms dealers in the world. Bout, a former Soviet lieutenant colonel, was once dubbed the “Merchant of Death” for his massive weapons dealing operation, and even inspired a Hollywood movie about his exploits.© Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
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