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US female basketball player Griner released in prisoner swap between Russia and USA

US female basketball player Griner released in prisoner swap between Russia and USA

In the prisoner exchange between the USA and Russia, it was reported that Russia released US female basketball player Brittney Griner, and the USA released Russian arms smuggler Viktor Bout.

Publish Date: 08/12/22 16:56
reading time: 3 min.
US female basketball player Griner released in prisoner swap between Russia and USA
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US female basketball player Brittney Griner, who was convicted of drug trafficking in Russia, has been released. Freed after arms dealer Viktor Bout was extradited to Russia, Griner spoke on the phone with US President Biden.

US President Joe Biden also shared on his Twitter account, "I spoke on the phone with Brittney Griner a few minutes ago. She is safe. She is on the plane right now. She is coming home right now." used the phrases.

Biden also shared a photo of the moments when he spoke with Griner on the phone. Next to Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and Griner's wife Cherelle Griner were also seen in the Oval Office.

EXPLANATION FROM RUSSIA

In the statement made by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the prisoner exchange was confirmed and said, “Bout and Griner exchange was successfully completed on 8 December at Abu Dhabi Airport. Bout has returned to his homeland.” statements were included.

In the statement, it was stated that there were long-term consultations between Russia and the United States for the release of Viktor Bout.

THE ARREST OF THE US BASKETBALL PLAYER

US basketball player Brittney Griner was detained in Russia in February with drugs.

The Khimki City Court in the capital Moscow also sentenced Griner to 9 years in prison and a fine of 1 million rubles (about 16 thousand dollars).

It was alleged that Russia and the USA were holding talks on the exchange of various detainees, including Griner.

In a statement on July 27, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced that they had prepared an important proposal to Moscow for the extradition of US Paul Whelan, who was imprisoned in Russia, as well as Griner.

US President Joe Biden also called on Russia to release Griner.

WHO IS BOUT?

Known as an arms smuggler, Viktor Bout was sentenced to 25 years in prison in the United States for supplying weapons to the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).

It was claimed that the famous "God of War" movie starring US actor Nicholas Cage was based on Bout's life story.

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